Tenafly's Edan Alexander Released By Hamas After 19 Month Hostage Ordeal
Edan Alexander, a Bergen County native, who had been held hostage by Hamas for 19 months, has been released on Monday, May 12, according to published reports.
Alexander, a 21-year-old Tenafly resident and the last living U.S. citizen held captive in Gaza, was handed over to Red Cross representatives, NBC News reported. Alexander will be transferred to Israeli special forces inside the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Defense Force said. Alexander was originally taken hostage during the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Hamas confirmed Alexander's release, calling it a step "being taken to achieve a ce…
Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass As Pope: Hear The Villanova Grad's Message To Catholics
Pope Leo XIV had a simple message during the first Mass of his papacy: life lacks meaning where faith is lacking.
The Chicago native, born Robert Francis Prevost, celebrated Mass at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Friday, May 9. It was the 69-year-old's first service as head of the Catholic Church, leading about 1.4 billion followers worldwide.
Leo XIV is the church's 267th pope, the first born in the US, and the first North American pontiff. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was the first pope from the Americas, hailing from Argentina.
Briefly speaking in English during his homily,…
