His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa,
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Greetings of affection and esteem,
I extend to you, and to all our people in Gaza and throughout Palestine, my heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy for the death and injury of several members of your parish in the aggressive bombing that targeted the Holy Family Latin Church in Gaza. This is the same church that has offered significant humanitarian and relief support to members of the community—both Muslims and Christians—including the provision of aid, sheltering hundreds of displaced individuals who lost their homes, and supplying as much food and emergency medical care as possible in cooperation with medical teams from associations and hospitals such as Caritas and others.
In the face of continued attacks on places of worship and the shedding of the blood of worshippers, and in light of the repeated assaults on the lives of peaceful believers, I must say that these acts are grave crimes unacceptable to any human conscience. Mosques, churches, and houses of worship are the houses of God and sanctuaries for those who believe in Him. Violating them is an assault on freedom of worship—an inalienable human, legal, and moral right that cannot be divided or compromised.
Despite everything, the Christians of Gaza—like their Muslim brothers and sisters—remain steadfast in the face of injustice, destruction, violence, and intimidation since the beginning of this war.
In this painful time, we share in your suffering, but we also draw from your steadfastness and resilience a renewed sense of hope. The Church, which has throughout history borne witness to the truth in the midst of tribulation, continues today to bear witness in the face of oppression and tyranny.
I pray to Almighty God to fill your hearts with serenity and peace, to shower His mercy and forgiveness upon the victims, and to grant patience and consolation to their families and loved ones. We also pray for the swift recovery of the wounded and of your parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. Truly, He is All-Hearing, Ever-Near, and Responsive.
El Hassan bin Talal
Amman, on the 25th of Muharram, 1447 AH
Corresponding to July 20, 2025 AD
*Translated by the Media Office of the Latin Patriarchate
