On May 16, 2024, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, entered Gaza and reached the parish of the Holy Family for a pastoral visit.

Together with His Beatitude were His Excellency Fra Alessandro de Franciscis, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta; Fr. Gabriele Romanelli, parish priest of Gaza, and a small delegation. They met the suffering population to encourage them and to deliver a message of hope, solidarity, and support. His Beatitude presided at a Holy Mass in the parish church with the local community. During his stay, His Beatitude paid a courtesy visit to the St. Porphyrius Orthodox parish.

The visit is also the first stage of a joint humanitarian mission of the Latin Patriarchate and the Sovereign Order of Malta, in collaboration with Malteser International and other partners, aiming at the delivery of life-saving food and medical help to the population in Gaza.