Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is in Holy Family Church in Gaza this weekend on his visit for Christmas.
In a statement, the Latin Patriarch said:
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Latin Patriarcal Vicar, Mons. William Shomali and a small delegation, arrived in Gaza today for a pastoral visit to the Holy Family Parish, on the eve of the Christmas celebrations.
During his visit, His Beatitude will review the current situation of the parish, including the humanitarian response, ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts, and the prospects for the period ahead. He will meet with the local clergy and parishoners to receive briefings on the needs of the community and the initiatives underway to support them.On Sunday, His Beatitude will preside over the Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish.
This visit marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations among a community that has lived and continues to live through dark and challenging times. It reaffirms the enduring bond of the Holy Family Parish in Gaza with the wider Diocese of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and expresses the Patriarchate’s commitment to accompany its faithful in hope, solidarity, and prayer.
In footage from the visit, Pizzaballa can be seen releasing a dove and praying inside the Holy Family Church with the Catholics there.
