Holy Land’s Top Catholic Leader Calls on Christians to Build Bridges in Gaza Conflict
Speaking from his reception hall in Jerusalem’s Old City — a shared and contested holy site for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism — the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem emphasized that Christians, who represent just 1% of the population in Christianity’s birthplace, are uniquely positioned to facilitate reconciliation.
“In this moment, you have to be very honest, very candid — the respective communities are not ready for this,” Cardinal Pizzaballa told The Associated Press. “The wounds are there, very painful. The suffering, the misunderstandings. So, what we have to do is to start from this very sad reality and rebuild.”
The Human Cost: Two Years of Conflict
Hope Amid Devastation
Cardinal Pizzaballa reported that cautious hope is spreading among the faithful at the one Catholic church in Gaza. Despite being struck by an Israeli shell in July, the church has continued ministering to its community and providing shelter.
“People keep dying every day out there. But at least in the air you feel something different, you hope that maybe this is going to finish,” he said.
The Cardinal acknowledged that the war’s devastating toll has fractured society at all levels among both Jewish and Muslim communities.
The Vatican’s Evolving Stance
The Vatican has consistently called for a ceasefire and expressed dismay at the death toll in Gaza. However, there has been a notable shift in tone under Pope Leo XIV compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis.
On Monday, the Vatican condemned the “inhuman massacre” of innocent people in Israel and called for the return of hostages, while also pleading for a stop to the “perverse chain of hatred” — a more balanced approach than previous statements.
A New Direction in Catholic-Jewish Relations
Cardinal Pizzaballa revealed that the Catholic Church seeks to find “a new direction” in relations with the Jewish people and the state of Israel, with which the Holy See established diplomatic relations just over three decades ago.
“As Catholics, we need also to understand that for the Jewish people, the state of Israel is not just one state among the others. It’s an important reference point,” he explained.
Finding Hope in Humanity
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Cardinal Pizzaballa finds his greatest reasons for hope in the actions of ordinary people — Christians, Jews, and Muslims, even in Gaza — who refuse to give up, even as many of their fellow believers are “full of contempt” for each other.
“It tells me that the life, the humanity is still alive,” he said.
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