Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrated Mass at the Holy Family Church in Gaza on 22 December, bringing hope and resilience to the 400 Christians who have taken refuge there since the beginning of the war. Despite initial resistance from Israeli authorities, the cardinal was finally able to enter the Gaza Strip, where he encouraged Christians to remain firm in hope and “to be deeply rooted in Jesus.”
In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa reminded the congregation that “He gives us the strength to endure this dark time.” He also urged them to avoid hatred and to pray for the end of the war, trusting that “with Christ, nothing can defeat us.” The cardinal reiterated the Church’s commitment to supporting and helping the community, saying, “We will never abandon you.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa’s visit was a significant morale boost for the Christian community in Gaza, who have been living in fear and uncertainty. The cardinal’s message of hope and unity was a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light of Christ can prevail. As he concluded, “We must preserve our unity to keep the light of Christ alive here in Gaza, in our region and in the world.”