(ACN) — More than one year since the start of the war, Pope Francis continues to call the Catholic parish in Gaza every day and has become a grandfather figure to its children, says Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to give as much support as it can to the small Christian community in Gaza, as well as to Muslim families living close to the Catholic and Orthodox compounds in the territory.
During a press conference held by pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in early December, the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that the Christians of Gaza, and especially the children, will celebrate Christmas despite the ongoing war. “They will try to live Christmas as well as they can, despite the poor conditions,” the Patriarch said.
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Pope Francis has taken a very strong interest in the war in the Holy Land, repeatedly calling for peace, and has kept in daily contact with the Catholic parish in Gaza.
Patriarch Pizzaballa said that the children in the Holy Family compound have grown so used to his daily phone calls, that they think of him as family. “The Pope continues to call every day at 7:00 P.M. It has become the norm. He might speak for only half a minute, more on some days, less on others, but he has become the grandfather of the children, because they know that he is calling. For the community in Gaza, it is a very big psychological, emotional, and spiritual support.”
