Jerusalem: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, returned from a rare and emotional visit to Gaza, declaring that he and fellow church leaders came back with “broken hearts” after witnessing the deep humanitarian crisis plaguing the war-torn region.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, the highest-ranking Catholic authority in the Holy Land, described the conditions in Gaza as “morally unacceptable and unjustifiable,” and emphasized the dire urgency for humanitarian assistance. “Every hour without food, water, medicine and shelter causes deep harm,” he said, calling it a “matter of life or death.”
The visit took place last Friday and included Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. Together, they visited the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City, which was recently struck by an Israeli military action that killed three individuals and wounded several others, including the parish priest. “It is time to end this nonsense and the war,” the cardinal pleaded.
Entry into Gaza remains extremely restricted due to the ongoing Israeli military operations in response to the Hamas-led incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023. The church leaders’ visit was an exceptional gesture of solidarity, aimed at offering comfort to the Christian community trapped in the crossfire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had attributed the strike on the church to “stray ammunition” and asserted that an investigation is underway. However, both Cardinal Pizzaballa and Vatican officials have expressed skepticism over the explanation. “We cannot prove anything, but the situation raises questions,” Pizzaballa remarked when asked about Israel’s response.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV spoke directly with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Friday, reiterating the Vatican’s call for an immediate ceasefire, the safeguarding of civilians and holy sites, and urgent action to address what he termed a “dramatic humanitarian situation.”
The Cardinal’s emotional recounting of his visit adds renewed pressure on international actors to push for peace in the region, as civilians particularly vulnerable religious communities continue to bear the brunt of the devastating conflict.