His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, continues his pastoral visit to Cyprus taking place on November 17-19, 2023.

On the evening of Friday, November 17, 2023, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa met with diplomats from various countries worldwide serving in Cyprus, with the authorities of the government, as well as with the ecclesiastical authorities of Cyprus, where they discussed the political situation of the Middle East and the role played by the Church there.

Monsignor Pizzaballa expressed his deep sorrow regarding the ongoing war in the Holy Land and said that the Church will have to play a big role in providing healing and support to communities amidst these injustices, hatred and violence. He also spoke about Cyprus and that it can be a help, by being a different light of hope for the Middle East and Europe. Monsignor Pizzaballa met earlier with His Excellency President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is accompanied on his pastoral visit by Head of the Maronite Diocese of Cyprus Archbishop Selim Jean Sfeir, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Cyprus Fr. Bruno Verriano, and Monsignor Mauro Lalli. 

According to the schedule of the pastoral visit, as posted by the Latin Patriarchate website lpj.org, His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa will meet on Saturday, November 18, with all Latin and Maronite clergy and the consecrated at the Maronite Archbishopric, while on Sunday, November 19, he will celebrate Holy Mass at the Maronite Cathedral in Nicosia and a solemn Holy Mass at the Main Latin Church of Holy Cross in Nicosia.