(OSV News): In a sign of closeness as Christmas approached, Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Latin patriarchal vicar, Bishop William Shomali, and a small delegation, arrived in Gaza on December 19 for a pastoral visit to the Holy Family Parish.
During his visit, he was slated to review “the current situation of the parish, including the humanitarian response, ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts, and the prospects for the period ahead,” the Latin Patriarchate said in a December 19 statement.
Meeting with the local clergy—led by parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli—and parishioners, the patriarchate said he received “ briefings on the needs of the community and the initiatives underway to support them.”
Greeting parishioners who have sheltered in the premises of Holy Family since the start of the war in October 2023, Cardinal Pizzaballa said, “First of all, I greet all of you, happy to be once again among all of you,” adding that for the first time since the start of the war he felt “a little bit of relief.”
The cardinal said, “I know the situation is difficult,” but emphasised he brought greetings not just from Jerusalem, “but from all over the world … you cannot imagine how many churches, how many groups, associations, people from all over the world—are united with you at this moment.”
He said the Holy Family community showed during the war “what does it mean to remain … strong in faith during this terrible period.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa said, “We cannot forget what happened … But now we have to look forward,” promising the community: “We will rebuild. We will rebuild our schools. We [will] rebuild our houses … our life. We are rooted here and we remain here. We want to be here.”
The patriarch said: “Every time I come here also during the war, there is one baptism to do. So there is no Christmas without baptism. It is wonderful, the best way to say that we believe in life and Jesus.”
On Sunday, December 21, Cardinal Pizzaballa presided over the Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish.
The visit marked “the beginning of the Christmas celebrations among a community that has lived and continues to live through dark and challenging times,” the patriarchate statement said.
Despite the ceasefire’s first phase agreement to end hostilities, Israel has continued targeted attacks in Gaza, including the recent killing of a Hamas senior commander. According to Al-Jazeera, Israel has carried out at least 800 attacks and killed 400 people since the ceasefire began on October 10.
In a recent update, Ramiz Alakbarov, the United Nations’ Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, warned that despite UN efforts to distribute tents, blankets and provisions for the cold winter months ahead, continued restrictions on humanitarian corridors are hampering those efforts.
The patriarch’s December 19-21 visit “reaffirms the enduring bond of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza with the wider Diocese of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and expressed the patriarchate’s commitment to accompany its faithful in hope, solidarity, and prayer.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa said, “May the birth of Jesus bring the new birth in our life.”
