Pope Francis has shown his support and care for the Catholic community in Gaza by making daily phone calls to the Holy Family Church. According to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Pope’s daily calls have become a source of comfort and strength for the community, especially the children, who have come to refer to him as “the grandfather affectionately.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa shared that the Pope’s calls, which take place every day at 7:00 p.m., have become a regular occurrence, and the children eagerly await his words of encouragement and support. The Cardinal noted that this gesture has provided immense psychological, emotional, and spiritual support to the Gaza community, which has been severely affected by the ongoing war and poor living conditions.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the Holy Family Church in Gaza is preparing to celebrate Christmas with a special event. Cardinal Pizzaballa said that the church is planning to distribute food and toys to the children, aiming to bring some joy and happiness to their lives. The Cardinal emphasized that Christmas is a time for children, and the church wants to make a difference in their daily lives.
Cardinal Pizzaballa also spoke about the importance of hope in the Holy Land, despite the ongoing war and complex challenges. He noted that hope is not the same as a solution to the problems, but rather it is the ability to see beyond the current reality and to trust in a transcendent God. The Cardinal emphasized that hope is the “daughter of faith” and that it is only through faith that one can find the strength to persevere in difficult times.
The Cardinal also stressed the importance of prayer, saying that it has the power to change hearts and minds. He encouraged people to pray for the Holy Land and its people, and to have the courage to visit the region, which is safe for pilgrims. Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed his sadness that the escalation of the war has prevented people from coming on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which has severely affected the local economy and the Christian community.