Patriarch Pizzaballa visits Gaza Christians

By Roberto Cetera

“The whole world is with you,” declared this morning the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visiting the Holy Family parish in Gaza. He visited the small Christian community in the Gaza Strip which has taken refuge in the parish compound for more than 14 months. It was the first light of dawn when the Patriarch left Jerusalem to enter Gaza, escorted by Israeli soldiers, through the Eretz crossing.

The visit was eagerly awaited by the faithful who hoped to be able to celebrate Christmas with their bishop in an atmosphere of serenity and joy, at least for one day. This is the second time that Cardinal Pizzaballa manages to enter Gaza and visit the community led by the parish priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, following his visit on May 16. To ensure maximum security on the route, news of the visit was only given after arrival in the community.

Cardinal Pizzaballa arrives for the visit

Solidarity with the Christians of Gaza

Cardinal Pizzaballa then presided over Mass, celebrated in white vestments, a foretaste of Christmas joy. During the mass, he also distributed the sacrament of Confirmation to several young people.

In his homily, the Patriarch congratulated the resilience of the Christian community: “You are the light of our Church and Christmas is precisely the festival of Light”, the Light that is Jesus, and “Jesus who, let us not forget never, is also here with you.” “We are proud of you”, continued the Cardinal, “not because of anything in particular, but because you have remained what you are: Christians with Jesus “. And once again, “just as all the peoples of the world, not only Christians, are with you, you can also give something to the world that looks at you, bringing to everyone the light of Christ through your example.”

Visit to Bethlehem

After his visit to Gaza, the day after tomorrow, Christmas Eve, the Patriarch will make his solemn entry into Bethlehem, where he will be welcomed by another suffering community and where he will celebrate Christmas mass in Saint Catherine’s Church.