As the first phase of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas begins, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has shared a heartfelt update on the situation of Christians in Gaza.

A fragile peace, a deep relief 

“We are in daily contact with them,” the Cardinal said in an interview with Vatican News. “They keep writing that they still cannot believe they were able to sleep through the night without hearing the sound of bombs.” 

This moment of quiet has come after the release of Israeli hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Cardinal Pizzaballa, however, cautioned that the situation “remains very fluid”. Fighting continues between other groups, and the future is uncertain. “We still do not know if [the war] has truly ended,” he said. 

Returning to ruins 

Even as some families begin to return, they are coming back to devastation. “The situation remains dramatic because everything is destroyed,” the Cardinal explained. “Hospitals are not functioning; schools do not exist. There is still the matter of the bodies of the deceased Israeli hostages that must be recovered.” 

Still, he sees signs of hope. “There is a new atmosphere, still fragile, but we hope it will become more stable.” 

The closeness of the Church 

Throughout the conflict, the Christian community in Gaza has felt the support of the wider Church. “They have felt the closeness of both Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis,” Pizzaballa said. “They have different personalities, but both expressed their closeness in very concrete ways,” including regular phone calls and aid. Pope Leo even sent antibiotics into Gaza this week. 

Hope must grow into peace 

Cardinal Pizzaballa reminded listeners that “we must not confuse hope with a solution to the conflict.” He explained, “the end of the war is not the beginning of peace, nor is it the end of the conflict. True peace,” he said, “will require new leadership and a new narrative—one built on mutual respect and fraternity”. 

He also spoke about the dignity of the Palestinian people. “One cannot tell the Palestinians that they have no right to be recognised as a people in their own land,” he said. “There have been declarations often only theoretical, that must find concrete realisation within the context of dialogue between the parties, which they themselves will have to reach, with the help and support of the international community.” 

A message for us all 

This update is more than a report; it’s a call to prayer, solidarity, and deeper reflection. As Cardinal Pizzaballa reminds us, peace is not automatic. It must be built, day by day, through relationships, respect, and recognition of every person’s dignity. 

Let us continue to pray for Gaza, for all who suffer, and for the Church’s mission to be a light in the darkness. 

PLEASE “HELP US SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED”
Thank you