Dozens of worshipers gathered at the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and other clergy celebrated mass. A glittering Christmas tree was decorated with golden ornaments.
“I want to… tell you that the whole world, not just the Christian world, but the whole world is with you. So the war will end and we will rebuild,” the cardinal said, urging Gazans never to be afraid.
His visit comes as Pope Francis once again criticizes Israel’s actions in Gaza. He said on Saturday that his envoy had been unable to enter the territory due to Israeli bombing.
“Yesterday, children were bombed. It’s cruelty, it’s not a war,” Francis said in his speech. On Sunday, he called for a ceasefire.
The pope recently called for an investigation into whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, a conclusion reached by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The International Court of Justice is investigating allegations of genocide made against Israel by South Africa.
Israel rejects such allegations. It claims it is only at war with Hamas, but activists say an overwhelming majority of the more than 45,000 people killed are civilians.
Since 2013, the Vatican has recognized the State of Palestine, with which it maintains diplomatic relations, and supports the two-state solution.
