Rome: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has said that the deep rupture between Israelis and Palestinians cannot be healed by words alone, stressing that only “concrete actions” can begin the long process of rebuilding trust in the Holy Land. Speaking at a commemorative event in Rome marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Cardinal painted a sombre picture of a region wounded by war, fear, and the absence of credible leadership.
Addressing the gathering at the Church of San Francesco a Ripa, Cardinal Pizzaballa said the devastation in Gaza and the broader fallout of the conflict have made any short-term political solution nearly impossible. He noted that societies on both sides are traumatised, disoriented, and increasingly closed off from one another. According to him, the relationship itself has collapsed, with neither Israelis nor Palestinians willing to truly acknowledge the other’s existence or suffering.
Reflecting on the October 7 attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, the Patriarch described the events as unprecedented in scale and impact. He admitted that even Church leaders initially failed to grasp the magnitude of what had unfolded. What was expected to be another limited cycle of retaliation instead shattered every familiar reference point, unleashing a level of violence and destruction that redefined the conflict.
When asked about the Trump administration’s proposed “Board of Peace,” Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed caution. He warned against peace initiatives that primarily safeguard the interests of global powers while failing to genuinely recognize the rights, dignity, and aspirations of the Palestinian people. Any credible peace effort, he implied, must be rooted in justice rather than geopolitical calculation.
The Patriarch repeatedly underlined that reconciliation cannot remain a slogan. He said that gestures, encounters, and visible acts of solidarity are essential to show that coexistence is still possible. Creating spaces for dialogue and shared cultural and social experiences, he argued, is vital if communities are to slowly move away from hatred and fear. Leadership, both political and religious, must be guided by vision rather than anger or revenge.
Cardinal Pizzaballa acknowledged that this process will take time and perseverance. In the meantime, he said, it is crucial not to allow extremists whether militant groups like Hamas or radical settler movements to dominate the narrative. For Christians, he added, the immediate mission is simply to remain present and faithful. Being a minority, he said, is not a tragedy if one has something meaningful to offer.
He also spoke personally about his willingness to offer himself in exchange for hostages held in Gaza, saying his life belongs to God and to Christ. In this context, he pointed to St. Francis as a model of unity, whose witness continues to resonate centuries later because it was rooted in Christ rather than ideology.
During the event, the Cardinal shared moving accounts of his four visits to Gaza during the war. His first visit in May 2024 left him shocked by the unrecognizable landscape and the terror etched on people’s faces, especially children. By his second visit, shortly before Christmas that year, exhaustion, hunger, and widespread destruction had taken hold, with hospitals barely functioning. July 2025 marked the darkest moment, coinciding with killings at the Holy Family Church and preparations for a major military offensive. He recalled the overwhelming smells of death and ruin. His most recent visit, before last Christmas, revealed a fragile but real desire among people to reclaim a sense of normal life, prompting the Church to shift from food aid to urgently needed medical supplies.
Turning to the condition of Christians in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pizzaballa said their situation has grown increasingly fragile. Since 1990, the Christian presence has declined sharply, with at least 100 families leaving Bethlehem since the start of the war alone. Many no longer believe that meaningful change is possible in the near future, he said, though the Church continues to encourage families to remain, recognizing the courage such a decision demands.
He described the suffering endured by the Holy Family parish in Gaza, where people lacked not only food, water, and medicine, but also emotional support. The closeness of Pope Francis and the wider Church, he said, provided a crucial source of comfort and solidarity.
The Patriarch also drew attention to mounting violence in the West Bank, particularly from Israeli settlers. He cited a recent attack on Taybeh, the only entirely Christian village in the region, and detailed widespread abuses against Palestinians, both Muslim and Christian. These include restrictions on movement and employment, land seizures, armed assaults, vandalism, and the demolition or confiscation of homes. Even Church-run institutions face constant obstacles, such as permit issues affecting teachers travelling to Jerusalem schools from Bethlehem.
On the long-debated two-state solution, Cardinal Pizzaballa acknowledged the immense difficulty of implementing it under current conditions but insisted it remains a necessary goal. He said Palestinians have a fundamental right to feel recognised as a people and to aspire to their own state, adding that even affirming this possibility is an act of justice that keeps hope alive.
In closing, the Latin Patriarch issued a heartfelt appeal for pilgrims to return to the Holy Land. He insisted that Bethlehem and Jerusalem are safe and urged Christians worldwide to move beyond a permanent “emergency mindset.” A physical presence, he said, is essential not only to support local Christian communities but also to affirm that Christians, too, have deep roots in the land shared by Palestinians and Israelis alike.