Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By CNA Daily News - Middle East - Africa (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Pizzaballa, Patriarch Theophilos III visit Holy Family Church in Gaza after Israeli attack

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, leave the church after a visit to Holy Family Parish in Gaza on July 18, 2025. / Credit: Caritas Jerusalem

Rome Newsroom, Jul 18, 2025 / 13:30 pm (CNA).

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visited Gaza on Friday, offering spiritual support and humanitarian aid to the Holy Family Church community.

Both religious leaders led an ecclesiastical delegation into Gaza to “offer condolences and solidarity” with both Christian and non-Christian families living at the Holy Family Church compound, one day after shrapnel from an Israeli military attack fatally wounded three people and injured several others on the premises.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visit Gaza on Friday, July 18, 2025, where they offer comfort to those wounded by the July 17 attack. Credit: Caritas Jerusalem
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visit Gaza on Friday, July 18, 2025, where they offer comfort to those wounded by the July 17 attack. Credit: Caritas Jerusalem

Approximately 600 people are living in the compound of Gaza’s only Catholic church. Most are Orthodox Christians, Protestants, and Catholics, but there are also more than 50 Muslim children with disabilities living there with their families.

The church has sheltered hundreds of refugees since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October 2023. The compound includes the church, a school, a convent, a multipurpose center, and a building for the Missionaries of Charity.

In a statement Friday, the Latin Patriarchate said it “remains steadfast” in its commitment to the Holy Family Church community and the entire population of Gaza.

In coordination with humanitarian partners, the delegation was able to deliver “hundreds of tons of food supplies as well as first-aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment” to refugees and ensure the evacuation and transportation of injured individuals to medical facilities outside Gaza.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visit Gaza on Friday, July 18, 2025, bringing humanitarian aid and assessing the situation to determine the greatest needs. Credit: Caritas Jerusalem
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visit Gaza on Friday, July 18, 2025, bringing humanitarian aid and assessing the situation to determine the greatest needs. Credit: Caritas Jerusalem

According to the Latin Patriarchate, Pizzaballa will continue to “personally assess the humanitarian and pastoral needs of the community to help guide the Church’s continued presence and response.”

Upon their entrance into Gaza, Pope Leo XIV called Pizzaballa to “offer his support, closeness, and prayers” for the ecclesiastical delegation and the people left shaken by the Israeli attack. 

Meanwhile, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, the ecumenical body that brings together the principal Christian churches in the Holy Land, on Friday condemned the latest “atrocious attack perpetrated by the Israeli army.”

“We, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, call upon world leaders and United Nations agencies to work towards an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that leads to an end of this war,” the statement read.

“We also implore them to guarantee the protection of all religious and humanitarian sites, and to provide for the relief of the starving masses throughout the Gaza Strip.”

Pizzaballa and Theophilos III’s visit to Gaza comes days after the two leaders visited the Palestinian village of Taybeh, where they spoke out against “systemic and targeted” attacks against Christians by illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank.


Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265427/cardinal-pizzaballa-patriarch-theophilos-iii-visit-holy-family-church-in-gaza-after-israeli-attack


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.