Patriarch Theophilos III and Cardinal Pizzaballa begin pastoral visit to Gaza

Patriarch Theophilos III and Cardinal Pizzaballa. Photo: HPC of Church Affairs in Palestine

Source: WCC

His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan, and His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Gaza yesterday, 22 June for a pastoral visit. They are accompanied by His Excellency Dr Josef D Blotz, grand hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, together with representatives of Malteser International.

The visit expresses the pastoral responsibility of the churches of Jerusalem toward the local churches and toward the whole population of Gaza, where families continue to endure grave humanitarian suffering, fear, loss and uncertainty.

The presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III and His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa carries the prayer of Jerusalem to Gaza's wounded faithful and to all who suffer, in a ministry of consolation, mercy and steadfast Christian witness rooted in the Gospel and in the sacred vocation of the Holy City.

During their stay, they will meet with clergy, religious communities, local Christian families, and people affected by the continuing humanitarian crisis. Through prayer, personal encounter and pastoral presence, they seek to offer spiritual strength, comfort, and hope in the midst of deep suffering.