Rome: The historic Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere became a house of hope and lament on Monday evening, as the Community of Sant’Egidio organized a prayer vigil titled “Peace for Gaza.” Supported by dozens of Catholic associations, the gathering drew hundreds of faithful and voices of moral authority united in prayer for the victims of the ongoing conflict, for the hostages, and especially for the children of Gaza.
The vigil, led by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop emeritus of Perugia-Città della Pieve and former president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, was marked by solemnity and deep emotion. The faithful listened not only to prayers but also to testimonies from those experiencing the reality of war. Among them was a moving poem from a mother in Gaza, capturing both grief and resilience, which left a profound silence in the church.
Cardinal Bassetti spoke with clarity and urgency, declaring that war is not an inevitable fate but a conscious human choice. “War is never a random tragedy,” he insisted. “It is chosen, willed. And it can and must be stopped.” He reminded those present that every violation of human rights results from deliberate decisions and urged believers to “choose differently.” Citing Pope Francis and philosopher Martin Buber, he emphasized that dialogue, recognition of human dignity, and the refusal to betray our shared humanity remain the only authentic paths to peace.
The vigil also carried the powerful voice of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who joined via video message from the Holy Land. His words reflected both sorrow and perseverance: “We are heartbroken. In 35 years, I’ve never seen a moment so dark.” While acknowledging that extremists on both sides had been given too much space, he expressed hope in what he called “the many gentles of heart” who quietly and faithfully work for justice and peace.
Cardinal Pizzaballa issued a warning against the spiral of violence, noting that it only fuels hatred and prolongs suffering. Yet he looked beyond the present darkness with a message of hope: “When the language of force fails, when this entire structure of violence collapses, we must be ready to bring the strength of meekness so that all may inherit, in beauty and love, the land God has given us.”
The evening concluded with a collective prayer for reconciliation, justice, and the protection of innocent lives, particularly children caught in the crossfire. The vigil embodied Sant’Egidio’s enduring commitment to intercession, dialogue, and peacebuilding—reminding the world that prayer can itself be a form of resistance against despair and an act of solidarity with the suffering.