Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has joined the priests of the Latin Patriarchate in Jordan during their spiritual retreat in November 2024. After a prostration prayer in the church, during which prayers were offered for priestly vocations, the Patriarch met with the priests in the hall of Our Lady of Nazareth Church in Sweifieh, western Amman, and addressed them on the general situation in the Holy land, namely in Jerusalem and the West Bank, especially the Gaza Strip.

Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed his hope that a ceasefire would be attained so that everyone could enjoy a peaceful and calm life, and consequently charitable organizations could ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those who deserve it, especially those adversely affected in the Gaza Strip. He said that the Latin Patriarchate contributes to sending aid to the residents of the Holy Family  Church in Gaza City, in addition to the neighboring families and homes.

Patriarch Pizzaballa answered the priests’ questions, which focused on the current situation in general, and on the upcoming Christmas celebrations. He said that he hopes that Christmas will be celebrated to the fullest this year, especially in the City of the Nativity, Bethlehem, and other cities in the Holy Land, as well as in Jordan. He continued that he would ask to have prayers lifted up for peace and justice in the Holy Land and Lebanon.

During the meeting, Director of the Christian Education office in Jordan Fr. Tariq Abu Hanna spoke about the activities of the office, while Director General of the Latin Patriarchate Schools in Jordan Fr. Dr. Firas Nasrawin, spoke about the situation of schools in Jordan, and President of the Latin Ecclesiastical Court Fr. Dr. Aktham Hijazin spoke about issues relevant to families and marriage.