A group of bishops recently made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where they met with local Christians and heard their struggles.
The Holy Land Patriarch also pointed to growing hardship in the West Bank, where violence is a part of daily life.
Caritas Jerusalem, the Middle East branch of the Catholic aid agency Caritas Internationalis, was recently banned from Gaza by the Israeli government.
Roughly 80% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, the Cardinal said. Many structures still standing are unsafe or barely habitable.
Leo XIV encouraged all people of good will “to respect, at least, during the feast of the birth of the Savior, one day of peace. Hopefully, they’ll listen.”
Months after the Popemobile-turned-clinic was blocked from entering Gaza, it has finally arrived and will soon be put into service.
According to the cardinal, real progress will demand far more than declarations. Hamas has no intention of laying down arms, and Israel shows little readiness for a full withdrawal.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa spoke with Vatican Radio on Wednesday, October 15, discussing the peace process and the state of the Holy Land.
For the first time since the war began, the courtyard of Holy Family Parish in Gaza was quiet on Sunday — no bombs, no sirens, only prayer.
The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem thanked the international community for their work in ending the war, and called for a "rapid surge" of aid to Gaza.
Pope Leo directed the Office of Papal Charities to send 5,000 doses of antibiotics to Gaza to treat children impacted by the war.
Bishop Elias Zaidan, speaking on behalf of his brother bishops, asked people to pray for the peace process in Gaza as both sides have agreed to a deal.
"In the coming phase, we are looking forward to rebuilding people’s souls in the Holy Land, and specifically in Gaza." Join us in the Day of Prayer on October 11.
Pope Leo XIV mourned the victims of the terrorist attack and war: "We must think about how much hatred exists in the world and begin to ask ourselves what we can do."
The Knights’ and CNEWA’s message is simple: Remain close to those who suffer, strengthen what is still alive, and keep hope practical.
The Pope's secretary of state spoke at length about the situation in Gaza on this 2nd anniversary of the October 7 attack. US bishops express hope: "Pray ardently"
Gaza was a seat of monasticism during the 5th and 6th centuries, where many holy monks lived and prayed, drawing close to God.
