The small Christian community of Gaza mourns the death of Pope Francis, who had maintained a narrow and coherent video contact with the Palestinian faithful throughout the war which continues to devastate the enclave.
Since the start of fighting between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, Francis had regularly called the Christians of Gaza, often several times a week, offering prayers, encouragement and solidarity.
“I have always waited to hear the words of the Holy Father. I was watching him on television and through the screens. He gave us hope with his messages and his prayers,” said Elias al-Sayegh, 49, of Zeitoun.
“We felt that we were alive because of his prayers and his blessings. Every day, he renewed our hope for the end of the war and the bloodshed. His prayers will stay with us for peace in the land of peace, Palestine. “
“I would like to be able to participate in the prayers of the Church of the Nativity and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher,” he added, referring to the old churches in Bethlehem in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.
“With the death of the Pope, we, in Gaza, have the impression that a light of love and peace has died down,” said George Ayad, 67, from Al-Sahaba.
“Although the Vatican is far away, his voice has always reached our heart – he has never stopped calling peace and justice.
“In the middle of the blockade of pain and suffocation that we endured, we hung on his words like a headlight of hope. The Pope has never forgotten Gaza in his prayers – and today we offer ours for his soul.”
