The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem repeats his appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, calling on both sides to make compromises. A ceasefire in Gaza is more urgent than ever.”
That’s the latest appeal for peace launched by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Speaking to Vatican News’ Federico Piana, Patriarch Pizzaballa stressed that a ceasefire is possible: “All that’s missing is the will to make it happen.”
In the course of the interview, the Patriarch also touched on the “fragile” situation of Gaza’s Christians, and the role the Church might play in peace negotiations.
The following transcript has been lightly edited for reasons of clarity.
“This is not the first time we have called for a ceasefire and an end to all fighting in Gaza; we have been doing so continuously since October, along with many other religious authorities, foremost among them the Holy Father. Our latest appeal comes precisely because we are in contact with our population in Gaza; we are aware of how the situation is becoming more and more terrible every day”, he said.