In the days leading up to Christmas, and faithful to a long-standing pastoral tradition, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, entered Gaza on December 19, 2025, for a three-day pastoral visit. Accompanied by Msgr. William Shomali, General Vicar, and a small delegation of priests, the visit aimed to celebrate Christmas with the Christian faithful of the Holy Family Parish and, in light of recent developments, to be present with the community, listen to its concerns, and discern its most urgent needs, while reviewing the humanitarian response and ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the Gaza Strip.
Upon their arrival at the parish, the community welcomed His Beatitude and Msgr. Shomali with warmth and emotion, seeing the visit as a tangible sign of the Church’s continued presence and solidarity amid ongoing hardship. Children and parishioners presented a small festive welcome, filling the parish grounds with songs and activities that offered a glimpse of hope, at the presence of Fr. Gabriel Romaneli, IVE, parish priest, the two vicars, Fr. Yousef and Fr. Carlos, and the religious sisters serving the community.
In his first address, Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke of a different feeling accompanying this visit compared to previous ones during the war. “I am happy to be once again among all of you,” he said. “For the first time, I feel a little bit of relief. I know the situation is difficult, but in the children, the school, and the activities, I see a small light of hope”. He conveyed the solidarity of Christians worldwide, adding, “You cannot imagine how many churches, groups, associations, and people from all over the world are united with you at this moment.”
Children of the parish, wearing Latin Patriarchate school jackets and Santa hats, perform a Christmas song to welcome the delegation
The Cardinal praised the Holy Family parishioners for remaining “strong in faith during this terrible period,” describing them as a powerful witness of resilience and hope. Looking ahead, he emphasized the call to rebuild both materially and spiritually. “We will rebuild—our schools, our houses, and our life,” he said, stressing that while structures can be rebuilt, healing hearts is equally essential: “Only love can build.” Affirming the community’s deep roots, he added, “We are rooted here, and we will remain here. We want to be a stable and solid reference point in this sea of destruction”. He concluded by assuring them of the unity of the Church in the coming phase: “Do not be afraid. We must move forward united and strong, to rebuild life in Gaza together.”
Later that day, the delegation visited St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, meeting with the parish priest as a sign of Christian unity. They also visited a parishioner receiving medical care at a nearby hospital, where Cardinal Pizzaballa checked on her condition and administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The first day concluded with a moment of prayer and the celebration of Holy Mass for the eternal rest of Naheda and Samar, who passed away on December 16, 2023. This was followed by a meeting with elderly members of the Holy Family Parish, during which the clergy listened attentively to their concerns and personal testimonies.
On the second day, Saturday, December 20, 2025, Cardinal Pizzaballa, accompanied the delegation, visited several medical and humanitarian institutions across the Gaza Strip. The visit included the Caritas Gaza office, a medical clinic affiliated with the Union of Churches, a Catholic Relief Services aid distribution point in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, and Thoma’s Center. The delegation also toured Al-Ahli (Baptist) Hospital, Al-Azhar University, and the tents of displaced families along the Gaza City seafront, where they were briefed on the prevailing humanitarian and health conditions and on efforts underway to support the affected population.
Cardinal Pizzaballa and the delegation observing the humanitarian situation at the Gaza Emergency Response Hub
Later that day, His Beatitude along with Msgr. shomali, and the parish priests, presided over Holy Mass at the Holy Family Parish and spent the night in prayer. The celebration was followed by a Christmas play presented by the children, after which Cardinal Pizzaballa shared in the joy of the season by distributing Christmas gifts.
Msgr. Shomali blessing one of the children with special needs, cared for by the Sisters of Mother Teresa
The pastoral visit concluded with the celebration of Christmas Mass, during which nine children received First Communion and a baby, Marco, was baptized. Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Cardinal Pizzaballa remarked, “Every time I come here, even during the war, there is a baptism to celebrate. There is no Christmas without baptism. It is the best way to say that we believe in life and in Jesus.”
In his homily, the Cardinal acknowledged the precarious reality facing Gaza, while encouraging the faithful not to lose hope. “We are in a very difficult situation, like many others throughout Gaza,” he said. “But now we are in a new phase. We are called not only to survive, but to rebuild life. We must bring the spirit of Christmas—the spirit of light, tenderness, and love. It may seem impossible, but after two years of terrible war, we are still here.”
Reflecting on the Gospel, he invited the faithful to meditate on Christ’s humble birth and on how the Christmas story mirrors their lived reality. “The Holy Family could not find a place to rest for the night,” he said, “which reminds us of your situation here… God’s way is the way of the poor and the simple.”
Baby Mario, who was baptized, and some of the children who received First Communion
He went on to contrast the logic of the world with that of God, emphasizing that power does not determine the course of history. “It is easy to believe that the powers of this world decide what will happen to us. In Jesus’ time, people believed that Emperor Tiberius controlled the fate of the world. Yet it was the child born in a place with no place who changed history. It is people who decide how they will live.”
Encouraging the community to remain steadfast, he urged them to stay rooted “in love, trust, and perseverance in doing good.”
He concluded with a message of hope, affirming that rebuilding is possible because salvation opens the way forward. “Little by little, we will return to life and shape our future here. As in the time of Jesus, birth is the birth of salvation in a place of destruction. This will be a new birth for you in this place,” he said, adding that the celebration of Communion and Baptism stands as a sign of this renewed life.
Cardinal Pizzaballa incenses the Nativity of Jesus while celebrating Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza
At the conclusion of the visit, the parish presented His Beatitude with a wooden plaque inscribed with the words, “May Your will be done,” as an expression of their gratitude for his continued support, their trust in God’s providence, and their commitment to rebuild their lives in the spirit of Christ and of Christmas.
The Holy Family Parish also offered a painting of the Suffering Christ to be sent to Pope Leo XIV, as a token of gratitude for his paternal closeness and tireless efforts for peace. Reaffirming the Church’s closeness to the community, Cardinal Pizzaballa assured them, “You are not alone. Together, we will rebuild everything.”
