Following is the message of the Custos of the Holy Land, Br. Francesco Ielpo, OFM dated, September 3, 2025:

The recent news of the forced evacuations from Gaza City and the progressive military occupation of the city, with dramatic consequences in terms of innocent victims and humanitarian crisis, has stirred in our hearts even deeper sorrow and closeness towards the Christians and the entire population of Gaza, who for almost two years have been enduring an unprecedented conflict.

As the Custody of the Holy Land, we wish to express our fraternal closeness and solidarity with the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem, which, together with their priests, religious men and women, continue to ensure a presence alongside the Christians of Gaza City.

We can only imagine what feelings dwell in the hearts of the Patriarchs and their communities. We are like Mary, at the foot of the Cross, before the perpetuation of Good Friday’s passion in the suffering members of the Body of Christ.

We express our deep concern for the fate of the population of Gaza City and, at the same time, our gratitude for the courageous witness of faith of those who, following in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, have chosen not to abandon their flock — through their physical presence beside the weakest and most vulnerable, and through the Word of the One who knows that only Love conquers hatred, vengeance, and death.

United in prayer with the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem, we appeal to the consciences of those who can stop this senseless spiral of violence, that they may finally take effective action to put an end to this war and to the suffering of all its victims.