These have been difficult years for the entire Church in the Holy Land, but its pastors have faced them with courage, always encouraging the faithful to strengthen their faith in Lord Jesus Christ and to cultivate prayer, hope, and charity. Fr. Francesco Ielpo and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa now eagerly await the presence of Christians from around the world at the sources of faith.

Fr. Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land said, “We extend heartfelt thanks, profound recognition, and immense gratitude to all those who, over these past two years, have continued to come — episcopal delegations, conferences of bishops, friends, volunteers — who, in these difficult times, have nonetheless borne witness to their love for us and for the people who live in this land.”

He added, “This land belongs to everyone. These shrines are the shrines of all Christendom. And here, we friars of the Custody of the Holy Land — and I would dare to say the entire local Church — are waiting for you. We truly long to welcome you with open arms, because pilgrimage is a life-changing experience. It is the experience of genuine encounter.”

He continued, “Christians need your visit. They need to feel that they are still protagonists in a land where their presence is meaningful, not marginal — where they continue to give life to these holy places. We are waiting for you. It is good for you, and it is good for us.”

On the other hand, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said: “Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is the pilgrimage par excellence, because it is an encounter with Jesus, with His humanity, with His story — an encounter that takes place here, concretely, in the holy places where Jesus lived, and also with the small Christian community that has suffered greatly in these years.”

He added, “I know what the first objection is: “It’s dangerous, there’s war.” Well, the war is over. We are not yet in peace, but the war is over, and pilgrimage is absolutely safe. So now is the time to come to the Holy Land — to express your closeness to this Church.  I must say how beautiful it has been to see how close you have been to us — through prayer, witness, and many forms of solidarity. Once again, I renew my wish and my prayer that we may finally meet not through the lens of a camera, but face to face here in the Holy Land.”