Cardinal Pizzaballa speaks of 'unprecedented pain' in Gaza

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Source: Sant'Egidio, Vatican Media

The Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome, was packed on Monday evening for a prayer vigil for Gaza, organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Community of Sant'Egidio, opened the vigil with powerful words: "We cannot remain silent in the face of injustice. We must not resign ourselves to the language of weapons. Peace is possible, and prayer is already an option for peace." The plight of the people of Gaza is a challenge for all believers to be "artists of fraternity." "This vigil is not only a spiritual moment, but an act of collective responsibility. We want to be a people of peace in times of war," he expressed.

In a moving video message, screened during the service, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem spoke of the "most serious crisis I have ever experienced."

"We are devastated, deeply wounded by what we are experiencing, by the atmosphere of hatred that this violence has created, and this violence in turn engenders another kind of hatred in this vicious circle that we cannot break."

"The responsibility for this," he said, "also falls on those who have given way to extremists." However, there is hope: "I see many humble people who love justice and defend it, even at a high price: Israelis, Palestinians, Jews, Christians, Muslims. This is not about belonging, but about humanity."

"We must have hope, cling to justice, and speak the truth with love." His final words combined encouragement and commitment: "The time will come when the language of power and violence fails, when we must rebuild with love, gentleness, and witness the land that God has given us."

Father Ibrahim Faltas OFM of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land spoke to Catholic media in a political tone. He recalled that "ten years ago, the Vatican recognized Palestine as a state and, therefore, above all, the right of a people."

Father Faltas noted that after the high-level conference on the two-state solution held in New York, numerous countries, including France, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Belgium, and Luxembourg, have recognized Palestine. Germany and Italy have so far been reluctant, despite supporting the two-state solution.

"Recognizing Palestine is an important step on the path to peace," Father Faltas told SIR. "Those who recognize Palestine believe in peace and work courageously to ensure that both peoples can live safely in their own homeland."

The prayer vigil in Rome was presided over by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president emeritus of the Italian Episcopal Conference. In his homily, Cardinal Bassetti warned that we cannot remain spectators in the face of suffering: "You, those gathered here, represent the diversity of Italian Catholicism. This is a sign that no one should underestimate." Referring to the escalation in the Middle East, he added: "We must not betray our humanity. Every person has an inviolable dignity that must be respected and preserved. There is no future based on violence, displacement, or revenge. Those who truly love work for peace."

His reference to the Beatitudes was particularly poignant: "Blessed are those who work for peace! Blessed are those who suffer: the doctors, journalists, and aid workers who persevere in Gaza; the mothers, fathers, and children who endure this trial with silent dignity." Security, Bassetti argued, is not guaranteed by wars or rearmament: "It is not the victor who wins in war, but only those who build peace, preserve a fragile good, sustained by justice, solidarity, and-we Christians must proclaim this loudly-by forgiveness."

Many organizations, including Italian Catholic Action, Communion and Liberation, the Pope John XXIII Community, the Focolare Movement, the OFS-Secular Franciscan Religious Association, and Renewal in the Holy Spirit, joined the vigil, calling for a truce, the release of the hostages, diplomatic negotiations, and full compliance with international humanitarian law.

The vigil was organized in response to the urgent appeal of Pope Leo XIV, who in recent days had called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and strict compliance with international humanitarian law.

LINKS

Watch a recording of the vigil: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaqhSCfIGco

See more reports from the prayer vigil HERE

Read more about the Sant'Egidio community: www.santegidio.org/