Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem made a joint pastoral visit to the Gaza Strip on June 22, accompanied by representatives of the Order of Malta. The visit, described by the Latin Patriarchate as an expression of shared pastoral responsibility, aimed to bring spiritual closeness and humanitarian support to a population enduring severe hardship.

During their time in Gaza, the two patriarchs visited the Holy Family Catholic parish, the only Catholic church in the territory, where they were welcomed by parishioners, children, and clergy, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. They also met with religious communities and local families affected by the ongoing crisis. Church officials emphasized that the visit was intended as a sign that Gaza’s suffering population remains present in the prayers and concern of the Churches of Jerusalem, while also highlighting ongoing humanitarian efforts led by faith-based organizations.



Cardinal Pizzaballa noted the importance of being physically present among the faithful, describing the situation as тяжел but underscoring that the Church’s mission of consolation and accompaniment continues. This marks the third such visit by the Latin Patriarch in the past year, reflecting a sustained pastoral presence in the region. The visit concluded with renewed calls for solidarity, dignity, and hope for all those living through the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

One year after the bombing of St. Elias Church in the Dweilaa district of Damascus, Syrian Christians continue to live with the memory of an attack that killed at least 25 worshippers and injured more than 100 others. For many in the community, the tragedy became a defining moment that reopened wounds of past conflict while also revealing unexpected resilience rooted in faith and mutual support.

Speaking to ACI MENA, Father Yohanna Shahada of St. Elias Church described a year marked by grief, but also by moments of profound solidarity. In the aftermath of the explosion, grieving families often turned to console one another, and parishioners who were wounded in the attack still sought to encourage those caring for them. The Church, he said, became a place where suffering was shared rather than carried alone, with pastoral care, psychological support, and material assistance coordinated through local Church institutions and aid organizations.



Despite ongoing fears and economic hardship, many families have continued to rebuild their lives step by step, supported by parish initiatives focused on employment, education, and basic needs. Father Shahada reflected that while no assistance can replace those who were lost, the response of the Church has helped many remain anchored in hope. As restoration work on St. Elias Church continues, the community looks toward its rededication as a sign that faith and perseverance endure even after profound loss.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, ordained four new priests on June 6 at the Church of the Twelve Apostles within the Domus Galilaeae International Center in Galilee. The new priests are originally from Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Italy and were called to the priesthood after years of formation at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Galilee.

In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa reflected on the deep connection between the Eucharist and the priesthood, reminding those present that one cannot exist without the other. He emphasized that priestly ministry is not a personal possession but a gift received for the service of the Church, one that must be continually offered rather than held back. Love, he said, cannot remain closed in on itself but must become a living gift shared with others.



The Patriarch also encouraged the new priests to remain rooted in gratitude for all that the Lord has done in their lives and to remember the people who accompanied them along their vocational path. Speaking more broadly about ministry in the Holy Land, he highlighted both the beauty and the demands of serving in a region marked by complexity and tension, where priestly witness is called to be especially close to the mystery of the Incarnation.

Pope Leo XIV has urged the international community to place human dignity at the center of efforts to combat global hunger, warning that food insecurity is closely tied to broader social instability and conflict. Speaking at the headquarters of the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome, the Holy Father emphasized that hunger is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a driver of forced migration and weakened social cohesion.

In his address, the Pope called for stronger multilateral cooperation and a renewed commitment to recognizing the God-given dignity of every person. He praised the work of the World Food Programme while also cautioning against bureaucratic delays that can hinder the delivery of urgent aid. The Church, he noted, continues to play a vital role through parishes, dioceses, and Caritas networks, often reaching vulnerable communities in places where international assistance is difficult to access.



Pope Leo XIV concluded by stressing that access to adequate food is a fundamental human right rooted in the worth of the human person. He encouraged governments and humanitarian organizations to work more closely together, ensuring that systems of aid remain focused on those in need rather than administrative complexity.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has called for the baptism site of Jesus in Jordan to remain a living place of encounter with God as preparations begin for the 2030 Jubilee marking 2,000 years since Christ’s baptism. Speaking during a gathering with Church leaders hosted by King Abdullah II, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem emphasized that the event of Christ’s baptism is not merely a historical memory, but a reality that continues to speak to believers today.

Located at “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” the site on the eastern bank of the Jordan River is traditionally recognized as the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. It has been a destination of Christian pilgrimage for centuries and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Jordan’s government has announced plans to enhance infrastructure and pilgrim services ahead of the 2030 commemoration, while also safeguarding the site’s sacred character and spiritual significance.



Church leaders welcomed the initiative as an opportunity for renewal, both in terms of pilgrimage and deeper spiritual reflection on the meaning of baptism. Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed gratitude for Jordan’s role in preserving the site and promoting peace, describing it as a place where faith can continue to serve as a bridge between peoples. As preparations move forward, the Jubilee is expected to draw Christians from around the world to the Jordan River as a sign of unity, hope, and renewed encounter with Christ.