After a recent conversation with Pope Francis, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza’s sole Catholic Church, shared insights regarding the prevailing atmosphere as the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel takes effect.
Pope Francis has embraced the role of a parishioner ever since the onset of the war in October 2023. Pope has established a routine of calling Father Romanelli each evening to inquire about the situation. During a particular conversation on January 18, several refugees and children were present. They took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the Pope for his support, presenting a banner and reciting a message in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Italian. In response, Pope Francis conveyed his delight at seeing them and shared his hope for the arrival of peace in Gaza. Each day, the Pope extends his blessings to the people of Gaza. Father Romanelli highlighted that, Pope Francis, as stated by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has “become one of us, one of our community, one of our parishioners.”
In the immediate aftermath of the ceasefire, Fr. Romanelli, who leads the Holy Family Catholic Church, reflected on the circumstances following over a year of hostilities. In an interview with Bendetta Capelli, he noted that the onset of the ceasefire did not equate to an instant peace. Gunfire and bombings continued adding that there was a delay in disclosing the names of hostages. However, the priest observed a shift in sentiment of growing sense of hope among the public, stating, “People are beginning to think and live again.” Despite the ceasefire, many individuals remain unable to return to their residences, as the area is still classified as a military zone. After 15 months of conflict, the community harbors simple desires, such as visiting the sea and swimming, although Israeli authorities have advised against such activities. People begin to contemplate on how to rebuild their homes and restart their lives, he explained, while also acknowledging the prevailing uncertainty. The parish priest emphasized the critical need for humanitarian assistance, specially of its infrastructure because only a few buildings remain intact. Beyond food supplies, the residents of Gaza require access to clean water and diesel for generators and electricity. A total of 600 trucks are set to deliver aid – 200 more than the number that arrived prior to the onset of the conflict. Fr. Romanelli painted a stark picture of the dire circumstances faced by the 2.3 million residents.
In the context of the ceasefire, Fr. Romanelli noted a prevailing sense of serenity, a kind of peace. With numerous tasks ahead in the Gaza Strip, he conveyed his appreciation for the many individuals who have offered assistance in various forms. He specifically mentioned that the Church supplied fruits and vegetables to approximately 60,000 individuals in December 2024 alone. As the community anticipates further aid from the Latin Patriarch and the Knights of Malta, Fr. Romanelli reported that schools have reopened – albeit only for girls, boys, and refugee children. Despite several Church buildings being damaged or destroyed, the parish priest expressed optimism regarding their eventual reopening and reconstruction.