Patriarch Pizzaballa urges Christians to make pilgrimages to Holy Land
Vatican news
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, invites Christians to return to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, saying their presence makes residents feel part of the universal Church.
By Devin Watkins
“This ceasefire is a turning point that has been marked in the life of the Holy Land.”
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa made the assessment in a video message recorded from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem was joined by the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, in inviting Christians to plan an upcoming visit to the Holy Land on pilgrimage.
“Last year was a difficult year,” said the Pizzaballa patriarch. “For this year, I want to express the appreciation that we have for the entire universal Church, for the support, for the prayer, or for the unity and solidarity that it has expressed for the Holy Land.”
He urged Christians around the world to express solidarity with the Holy Land, saying Jerusalem is safe, especially thanks to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday.
“The source and origin of hope is found here, in the Holy Sepulcher, with Jesus, the risen Lord,” he added. “So, it’s time to pluck up the courage to come here. We are waiting for you.
Pilgrimage and large Catholic family
In the video, Fr Patton agreed with Patriarch Pizzaballa, emphasizing the importance of the pilgrimage to the land where Jesus was born, died and rose again.
In front of the Holy Sepulcher, he declared that Christians “are waiting for you, because when you come on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, our small Christian community feels that we are part of a great family, the great family of the Catholic Church and Christians living all over the world.
“Please don’t be afraid,” Father concluded. Patton. “Don’t be afraid. Come!”
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