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Melanie Lidman | Crux

Latest

Questions abound as sex crimes trial looms for priest in Texas

The Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla, New Mexico. (Credit: Wikimedia.)

Premium article: Thousands of diocesan documents stolen in Diocese of Las Cruces; head of Voice of the Laity allegedly involved

May 11
Charles Collins

A new crucifix that was sent by Italy to replace the one that was defaced by Isreali troops in Lebanon. (Credit: Houssam Naddaf/via AP.)

Israeli troops get prison for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

May 12
Julia Frankel

Pope Leo XIV speaks to reporters as he leaves the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on March 31, 2026. (Credit: Gregoria Borgia/AP.)

Premium article: Pope Leo says there’s more important subjects than sexuality, but the conversation won’t stop

May 12
Charles Collins

The country’s most prominent political clan is the family of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, with the election of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the country’s 17th president in 2022. (Credit: Presidential Communications Office.)

In new signature drive, Filipino Church breaks bonds of political dynasties

May 11
Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Father Anthony Odiong, 57, arrested on 16 July 2024. (Credit: Waco Police.)

Premium article: Questions abound as sex crimes trial looms for priest in Texas

May 13
Christopher R. Altieri

Members of the French parliament in Paris, France, on Dec. 9, 2025. (Credit: Michel Euler/AP.)

France the latest European country to consider assisted suicide

May 12
Fionn Shiner

Pope Leo XIV speaks to reporters as he leaves the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on March 31, 2026. (Credit: Gregoria Borgia/AP.)

Premium article: Pope Leo says there’s more important subjects than sexuality, but the conversation won’t stop

May 12
Charles Collins

A new crucifix that was sent by Italy to replace the one that was defaced by Isreali troops in Lebanon. (Credit: Houssam Naddaf/via AP.)

Israeli troops get prison for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

May 12
Julia Frankel

Author's Posts

Christian pilgrims visit the Cenacle, traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper, in Jerusalem, Friday, May 1, 2026, as they walk past the site where a nun was attacked by a man last Wednesday. (Credit: Leo Correa/AP.)

Israel indicts Jewish man accused of attacking Christian nun in Jerusalem

May 7
Melanie Lidman

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Credit: Ammar Awad/Pool Photo via AP.)

Israeli police say new framework aims to ‘enable freedom of worship’ in Jerusalem

Mar 30
Melanie Lidman,
Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

A locked door and empty stairs leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, closed to visitors amid heightened security during the war with Iran, Friday, March 27, 2026. (Credit: Mahmoud Illean/AP.)

Jerusalem heads into a subdued Passover and Easter under the shadow of the Iran war

Mar 29
Melanie Lidman,
Associated Press

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee poses for a photo during an interview in Jerusalem, Aug. 20, 2025. (Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP.)

US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context

Feb 23
Melanie Lidman,
Samy Magdy, Associated Press

Palestinian parishioners check a recently installed Christmas tree after the previous one was destroyed at the Holy Redeemer Latin Church in the West Bank town of Jenin, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (Credit: Majdi Mohammed/AP.)

3 Palestinians arrested on suspicion of torching a Christmas tree at a Catholic church in West Bank

Dec 25, 2025
Melanie Lidman,
Associated Press

Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, arrives at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (Credit: Nasser Nasser/AP.)

Thousands flock to Bethlehem to revive the Christmas spirit after 2 years of war in Gaza

Dec 25, 2025
Melanie Lidman,
Associated Press

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, left, leads a Christmas Eve Mass at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (Credit: Jehad Alshrafi/AP.)

Cardinal celebrates Christmas mass in Gaza City

Dec 21, 2025
Melanie Lidman,
Associated Press

Palestinian vendors wait for clients in Manger Square in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Credit: Mahmoud Illean/AP.)

Christmas spirit returns to Bethlehem after ceasefire in Gaza

Dec 20, 2025
Jalal Bwaitel,
Melanie Lidman, Associated Press

The Jerusalem Regional Archaeologist for the Israel Antiquities Authority, Dr. Amit Re'im, walks in a section of an excavation site where, according to the institution, a city wall from the Hasmonean period, dating to the late 2nd century BCE, was uncovered under the Tower of David Citadel Museum, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (Credit: Leo Correa/AP.)

Archaeologists uncover intact section of ancient Jerusalem wall from Hanukkah era

Dec 10, 2025
Melanie Lidman,
Associated Press