From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 22, 2024
After pope’s criticism, footage shows Latin patriarch of Jerusalem leading pre-Christmas Mass in Gaza
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleFootage shows the Latin Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa leading a pre-Christmas Mass during a rare visit to Gaza that was coordinated with Israeli authorities.
His visit to Holy Family in Gaza City, the Palestinian enclave’s only Catholic church, comes a day after Pope Francis issued a series of condemnations of Israeli strikes during the ongoing war against Hamas, and said the attacks had prevented Pizzaballa from entering the Strip yesterday.
The pope’s comments prompted a sharp response from the Foreign Ministry, which said his comments were “particularly disappointing, as they are disconnected from the true and factual context of Israel’s fight against jihadist terrorism — a multi-front war that was forced upon it starting on October 7.”
GAZA
Cardinal Pizzaballa leads Mass with Catholics at Holy Family Parish.
Pope Francis yesterday criticised Israel for stopping Pizzaballa from entering Gaza with Christmas presents for children. pic.twitter.com/AA1Zap0AkK
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) December 22, 2024
The Times of Israel Community.