At the end of a three-day visit to the Gaza Strip, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, stated that, despite the destruction caused by years of war, the local population maintains the desire to rebuild their lives. The patriarch is the main authority representing the Catholic Church in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus.
In an interview with Vatican media outlets this Tuesday (23), the religious man reported having encountered an exhausted society, marked by extreme poverty and a lack of basic infrastructure, but still moved by signs of hope.
According to Pizzaballa, the structural problems remain evident. Homes, schools and hospitals need to be rebuilt, while a large part of the population lives surrounded by sewage and garbage.
Even so, the cardinal highlighted that he noticed, during meetings with men, women and children, a strong desire to return to normality and rebuild the future.
During the visit, which began on December 19, the patriarch also witnessed moments of joy, especially among the children. He recalled the serenity found in the eyes of the little ones during the staging of a living nativity scene, which moved those present.
According to the cardinal, Christmas in Gaza is celebrated without major festivities, with the exception of the liturgy, but is marked by a genuine feeling of joy.
Pizzaballa also highlighted that, despite the difficulties, Gaza residents do not feel abandoned by the world. For him, it is important to differentiate the action of the political community from the presence of civil society, which, according to him, was on the side of the population.
When talking about peace, the cardinal highlighted that it is a demanding concept in a territory marked by war. According to him, more than speeches, it is necessary to create real, solid and stable conditions so that peace can assert itself.
In a message addressed to Christians, the patriarch stated that one should not escape the current reality. For him, Jesus entered history in an imperfect context, just like the one experienced today in Gaza, and it is up to people to take ownership of this historical moment and work to transform it.
At a press conference held in Jerusalem after the visit, Pizzaballa warned of the seriousness of the economic situation. Although food shortages have been partially overcome, few residents can afford to buy food.
The cardinal said he was impressed by the large number of children living on the streets and said there was concern about their future.
*With information from the Vatican News Agency
