Zionism, Christian Zionism, and the Catholic Church

The interrelated topics of Zionism, Christian Zionism, and the teachings of various religious groups have become even more divisive than they already were at the beginning of 2026.  On January 17, 2026, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land (PHC) issued a statement that explicitly criticized "Christian Zionism" saying, “Recent activities undertaken by local individuals who advance damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism, mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock. These undertakings have found favor among certain political actors in Israel and beyond who seek to push a political agenda which may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East." This statement drew criticism from several self-described "Christian Zionists." 

In the United States, Carrie Prejean Boller made the claim at a government hearing on antisemitism on February 9, 2026 that “Catholics do not embrace Zionism, just so you know. So are all Catholics antisemites?” This declaration prompted both support and criticism from diverse voices, not all of which accurately reflected Catholic teaching. (In fact, the Vatican has a nuanced position on Zionism, as seen in this formulation by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in 2018: “the Vatican has recognized the State of Israel as a modern constitutional state and sees it as a legitimate home of the Jewish people, the rationale of which cannot be derived directly from Holy Scripture.”)  

Antisemitic tropes have also appeared in these and related controversies. 

This page provides selected statements, essays, and other texts on these subjects.