The Catholic Church’s reactions to Gaza Strip’s ceasefire

The start was marked from the Vatican, where His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to all the mediators who helped bring about this important result. His Holiness the Pope hoped that what was agreed upon would immediately be respected by the concerned parties, so that all the hostages would be able to return to their homes and that humanitarian aid would reach more expeditiously and in large quantities to the people of Gaza who are in dire need of it.

In his address on Sunday, Pope Francis said, “ The Israelis and  the Palestinians need clear signs of hope: I trust that the political authorities of both of them, with the help of the international community, may reach the right solution for the two states, so that may everyone say yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace.”

In noble Jerusalem, the first reactions were issued by the Assembly of the  Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (ACOHL) that welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, noting that  “this ceasefire “will mark an important end to the violence that has caused immeasurable suffering, “and it is a necessary step to halt the destruction and meet the urgent humanitarian needs of countless families affected by the conflict.” The  ACOHL noted that “genuine and lasting peace can only be achieved through a just solution that addresses the origin of this long-standing struggle.”

Furthermore, in Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican news media outlets that the ceasefire “is the necessary turning point we needed”, and referred to the happiness expressed by the Gazans in this regard since the war “has exhausted our strength, drained our energies, and impacted the lives of everyone.”

However, the Patriarch stressed the need to continue this truce, calling on everyone to do everything in one’s power to ensure its continuation. Noting that there are those who will work against this agreement, he insisted that “we must not give them the chance to do so.” In a broader context, His Beatitude the Cardinal warned that the agreement is not the end, as hope lies on ensuring that it is the beginning of a process that will bring lasting peace, even if this journey is arduous and long.

Cardinal Pizzaballa called on all Christians around the world to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He said: “It is also time to raise our gaze and return to Jerusalem, to bring joy to the hearts of several Christian families who are eagerly awaiting the return of the pilgrims.” He said: “Come back, we are awaiting you with joy.”

From Gaza, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Church of the Holy Family which is affiliated with the Latin Patriarchate, said that with the ceasefire coming into effect, Gazans have begun to think about how to rebuild their homes and start their lives anew. Faced with the bitter reality that Gaza’s infrastructure has been completely destroyed, he stressed the importance of the role of the international community in delivering the necessary humanitarian aid and in rebuilding the damaged strip caused by the 15-month war.

In Jordan, prayers were offered on Sunday from churches pleading for the continuation of this state of calm and the silencing the sounds of bombing, war, and drones. As the incense of the churches rose, we thanked the God Almighty for all the good and noble efforts made by dear Jordan--starting with His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Arab Army, the Air Force, the field hospitals, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, and the minister of foreign affairs—for ceasing fire, the delivery of aid to the needy, treating the wounded, and the immediate call for a just and comprehensive peace in Gaza, the rest of Palestine, and the entire world.

At the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tla’ Al-Ali, twin-sister nuns Maria Pilar and Maria Al-Ma’ouna--who have at last left Gaza—have been welcomed. They were under daily bombing, and shared the long suffering of the people sheltering in the church. They jointly said, “Our Lord is present.”