Catholic leaders of the Holy Land were quick to respond with joy and hope as news broke that Israel and Hamas have reached an initial deal to end the conflict.
Just two days into the third year of the war, as the Pope and the Vatican had firmly reiterated the need for the "carnage" to end, the negotiations being held in Egypt led to a first agreement.
Speaking of the joy of the announcement, a statement from the Latin Patriarchate noted it "ardently hopes that this accord will be fully and faithfully implemented, so that it may mark the beginning of the end of this terrible war."
The Patriarchate insisted on the "absolute urgency of immediate humanitarian relief and the unconditional entry of sufficient aid to Gaza’s suffering population" and said that it would be praying that this "step may open a path of healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis."
The Patriarchate "calls upon everyone to join us in the Day of Prayer for Peace declared by Pope Leo XIV on October 11. May the Lord have mercy on the Holy Land, and may He grant it peace."
For his part, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said we "must rejoice" and expressed his hopes for a new phase, a time to stop thinking about war and start thinking about rebuilding after war.
“It is good news, and we are very happy. It is a first step, the first phase. Of course, there are many others, and surely there will be other obstacles. But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinians.”
“Now we finally see something new and different. Of course, there will also be a new atmosphere for the continuation of negotiation, also for all the life inside Gaza that will remain terrible for a long time. But now we are happy and we hope that this is just the beginning of a new phase where we can, little by little, start thinking not about war, but about how to rebuild after the war.”
Caritas: "deep relief and hope"
Caritas Jerusalem noted that since the September 22 beginning of evacuations in Gaza City, they had had to suspend operations in five out of 10 medical points. But that 102 Caritas employees continued their work.
Caritas is the international charity arm of the Catholic Church.
"Our Secretary General, Mr. Anton Asfar, expressed his deep relief and hope upon hearing the news of the agreement to end the war and release prisoners, detainees, and abductees from both sides," a statement from the organization said.
"All our colleagues in Gaza are overjoyed with the news," said Asfar, "and they are very keen on helping all those afflicted by the war — the patients, the casualties, and the grief-stricken in Gaza."
"In the coming phase," he said, "we are looking forward to rebuilding people’s souls in the Holy Land, and specifically in Gaza."
