The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is on a pastoral visit to the Parish of the Holy Family and will preside over the Christmas Mass on Sunday.
By Pierfrancesco Loreto
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, is visiting the Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza ahead of Christmas.
His presence expresses his desire to accompany the faithful in hope, solidarity, and prayer.
This Christmas, just like it happened last year, the parishioners will receive support and solidarity from Cardinal Pizzaballa.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in Gaza for Christmas celebrations, accompanied by his vicar, Monsignor William Shomali, and a small delegation.
Pizzaballa is on a pastoral visit to the Parish of the Holy Family, as reported in a press release from the patriarchate.
On Sunday, His Beatitude will preside over the Christmas Mass at the parish.
These days, the Cardinal “will review the current situation of the parish, humanitarian interventions, relief efforts, and prospects for the near future.”
He is scheduled to meet with local clergy and parishioners to gather information on the community’s needs and the initiatives underway to support the parish.
This visit, as the Patriarchate explained, “marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations in a community that has been battling through adversity. It also reaffirms the strong bond between the Holy Family parish in Gaza and the larger diocese of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.”