Jerusalem: As tentative breakthroughs emerge in negotiations to end nearly two years of relentless conflict in Gaza, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has issued a pastoral letter urging the faithful to cultivate hope, deepen prayer, and reject the logic of violence and division. The Patriarch’s message comes amid reports of potential progress toward the release of hostages, freeing of Palestinian prisoners, and a halt to military offensives in the region.
In his letter to the faithful, Cardinal Pizzaballa described the recent developments as “an important and long-awaited first step.” He highlighted reports of the possible release of Israeli hostages and some Palestinian prisoners, coupled with signs of cessation of bombardments, as a potential turning point in the humanitarian crisis.
“For the first time, the news is reporting a possible new positive development: the release of hostages, of some Palestinian prisoners, and the cessation of bombing and military offensives. This is an important and long-awaited first step,” the Patriarch wrote, while cautioning against premature celebrations. “Nothing is entirely clear or definite yet; many questions remain unanswered, and much still needs to be defined.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa stressed the broader significance of these developments, urging the faithful to see the possible ceasefire as a moment of relief not just for Israelis and Palestinians, but for the world.
“We rejoice above all for the end of hostilities, which we hope will not be temporary and will bring relief to the inhabitants of Gaza,” he wrote. “We rejoice for all of us, because the possible end of this horrible war, which now seems very close, will finally mark a new beginning for everyone.”
At the same time, the Patriarch warned of the “treacherous path” ahead, emphasizing that ending military operations is only the first necessary and indispensable step toward lasting peace.
Cardinal Pizzaballa drew attention to the deteriorating conditions in the West Bank, where communities face daily uncertainty and hardship. Small villages, he noted, are increasingly encircled by settler attacks, often without adequate protection from security authorities. Christian communities, he added, continue to navigate a landscape shaped by convoluted and painful dynamics, affecting even routine life decisions such as travel, safety, and access to services.
The Patriarch’s message emphasized the spiritual role of the Church, rather than political commentary.
“We are not here to make a political statement or to provide a strategic analysis of events. The world is already full of such words, which rarely change the reality. Instead, we seek a spiritual vision that will help us remain steadfast in the Gospel,” he wrote. He reflected on the devastating toll of violence on both the land and the human soul, warning against normalizing suffering: “Every life lost, every wound inflicted, every hunger endured remains a scandal in God’s eyes.”
In confronting what he described as “the mystery of lawlessness”, the Patriarch urged Christians to keep their gaze firmly fixed on Christ. “Alone, we will not be able to understand this mystery. By our own strength, we will not be able to stand before the mystery of evil and resist it. That is why I feel an ever more urgent call to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” he wrote, citing Hebrews 12:2.
He reflected on the tears of the past two years, including the loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, and reiterated that the Church’s response must be rooted in love and forgiveness, not revenge. “Jesus, our teacher and Lord, made love that becomes gift and forgiveness His life’s choice. His wounds are not an incitement to revenge, but a sign of the ability to suffer out of love,” the Patriarch stated.
Acknowledging that even if the war were to end immediately, “the conflict will continue because its root causes have yet to be addressed,” Cardinal Pizzaballa called for a sustained commitment to rebuilding trust and healing hearts. “The end of war does not necessarily mark the beginning of peace, but it is the first essential step toward building it,” he wrote, drawing on the imagery of the empty tomb to assure the faithful that “pain will not last forever” and that “the tears watering the desert will make the Easter garden bloom.”
Concluding his message, the Latin Patriarch invited all parish and religious communities to join Pope Leo XIV’s call for a day of fasting and prayer for peace on Saturday, 11 October, as a collective act of hope and solidarity for a region weary of conflict.