Full Homily of H.B. Card. Pizzaballa
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made a three-day pastoral visit to the city of Karak, beginning on Friday, October 10, and concluding on Sunday, October 12, as part of his ongoing visits to the Latin parishes of the Diocese of Jerusalem.
Throughout the visit, His Beatitude met with the parishioners of Karak and learned about their daily lives, visiting local churches as well as several educational and social institutions. He also met with numerous families and faithful, affirming that “the people of Karak remain an essential part of the Diocese of Jerusalem, even as our attention is naturally and painfully drawn to what has been happening in Gaza.”
Opening of the Visit
Fr. Alaa Bair, parish priest of Karak, welcomed H.B. Cardinal Pizzaballa and Fr. Davide Meli, the chancellor, together with Fr. Salem Lolas, parish priest of Ader; Fr. Khaled Qamouh, parish priest of Smakieh; and the pastors of the apostolic churches of karak — Fr. Yuhanna Hamati, Greek Orthodox priest, and Fr. Boulos Bqa’in, Greek Catholic priest — along with the elders of the parish and representatives of the local authorities.
The visit began with the celebration of the Divine Office at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, where Fr. Bair delivered a heartfelt welcoming address, describing the occasion as a “historic visit,” coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the parish’s foundation.
Pastoral and Ecumenical Encounters
His Beatitude then visited several sick parishioners, offering them his apostolic blessing and the Holy Eucharist, encouraging them to remain steadfast in faith and hope.
In an ecumenical spirit, he visited the Greek Catholic Church, where he was received by Fr. Boulos Bqa’in and the parish council. They expressed their gratitude for the Patriarch’s closeness and pastoral care:
“We are delighted to welcome you among us today. We deeply thank you for your service and constant dedication to humanity. You share with the Holy Father the concerns of this world. May the Lord grant you grace and strength to continue your mission for all those who suffer.”
Later, His Beatitude visited St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where Fr. Yuhanna Hamati emphasized the importance of the Church’s presence in supporting the local Christian community:
“Your presence among us is a great joy and an honor. Our governorate faces difficult circumstances due to the increase in Christian emigration, and we deeply appreciate your efforts to help our people remain rooted in their land and homeland”.
Cardinal Pizzaballa responded:
“For me, it is essential to be present wherever our Church and our people are — to listen, to understand, and to learn. The first duty of a shepherd is to be with his flock. Together, as Christians, we must serve our one community.”
Visit to the Habashneh Clan
The Patriarch also visited the Habashneh Clan Council (Diwan), where he was warmly welcomed by Mr. Bashar Habashneh, who spoke on behalf of the tribe. He highlighted the deep sense of coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Karak:
“In Karak, we have never felt like strangers to one another. Christians and Muslims here form one body and an essential fabric of this city. Many of us are also graduates of the Patriarchate’s school — your culture of care has reached us all.”
In response, His Beatitude expressed gratitude and admiration:
“Karak is a city of deep history and strong roots — and when the roots are firm, the tree does not tremble. As a Church, we are an integral part of this community. What we do for our children, we do for all children. Today, I have learned from you that there is always a path of hope.”
The first day concluded with a meeting with the parishioners, council members, and youth, who presented their current activities and future hopes, expressing their desire to strengthen the Church’s presence among the young and in the wider community.
Day Two: Educational and Humanitarian Visits
On Saturday, His Beatitude visited the Latin Patriarchate School and Kindergarten in Karak, where he and the clergy were greeted with joy, waving of flags, and traditional Karaki coffee.
Ms. Haifa Zureikat, principal of the school, and Ms. Shireen Hijazin, director of the kindergarten, together with the teaching and administrative staff, warmly welcomed His Beatitude. They expressed their appreciation for his fatherly support and praised the school as “a proud landmark deeply rooted in the city’s history, being the first Christian school established in Karak.” They also expressed gratitude for his decision to waive tuition fees for students in need — a gesture they described as “a balm of relief in these difficult times.”
The students offered cultural and artistic performances as a sign of their love and appreciation.
Later, His Beatitude visited the Caritas Center and Mobile Medical Unit serving southern Jordan, where he was briefed by Ms. Sofia Naffa, head of the medical unit; Mr. Iyad Bqa’in, director of the Karak Center; and Dr. Issa Zayadin on the various humanitarian and medical programs benefiting families in need.
He also visited the Italian Hospital of Karak, welcomed by Dr. Khalaf Madanat, the hospital’s director, and the Comboni Sisters — Sr. Alessandra Fonogali and Sr. Adele Birambella — who expressed their joy at celebrating the hospital’s 90th anniversary and reaffirmed its mission of serving all people regardless of religion or background. Dr. Madanat thanked His Beatitude for his visit, calling it “a source of encouragement and support for all who work here.”
150th Anniversary Mass of the Parish
That evening, Cardinal Pizzaballa presided over the solemn Mass celebrating 150 years since the founding of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, concelebrated with Fr. Alaa Bair and attended by parishioners and friends. The Mass coincided with the Day of prayer for peace called by H.H. Pope Leo XIV, united in prayer for the Middle East and the world as whole.
In his homily, the Patriarch expressed heartfelt thanks:
“I want to thank each of you for your warm welcome, which has allowed me to see with my own eyes what you live every day — your faith and your perseverance.”
He congratulated the parish on its anniversary, commending especially the youth for their active role in parish life:
“I command your commitment to the life of the Church, your parish is living and active. We must always think about the future of our young people. They are the life and continuity of the Church. Though we may sometimes feel weak, our ‘yes’ to God gives us the power to change the world — for nothing is impossible with God.”
He concluded by entrusting everyone to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, praying that she may grant freedom and strength to always say “yes” to God’s will.
Fr. Alaa Bair expressed deep gratitude to His Beatitude, describing his visit as “a sign of hope and fatherly warmth.”
“Your Beatitude, your pastoral service is not an easy task — it requires great sacrifice and sincere dedication. Our Lady of the Rosary Parish suffers from emigration, yet it does not die, because it was born from faith, and faith does not die. Your presence among us today continues your long-standing closeness and care as a loving shepherd.”
He also praised the Patriarch’s decision to exempt the students from school debts, calling it “a humanitarian and fatherly gesture that reflects the heart of a shepherd close to his people.”
Day Three: Closing of the Visit
The pastoral visit concluded on Sunday, October 12, with the Sunday Mass at the parish church, followed by meetings with parishioners and visits to the Karak Governorate offices, the Greater Karak Municipality, the Karak Castle, and the Folk Life Museum.
In his closing remarks, Cardinal Pizzaballa highlighted what he had witnessed during his days in Karak:
“The deep faith and fraternal cooperation among all members of the community stand as a living testimony to the beauty of coexistence and the steadfastness of hope despite all challenges.”
