Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa

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The entry of the cross into the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth on Dec. 29, 2024, marks the opening of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope in the Holy Land. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, crossed the threshold of the basilica carrying the jubilee cross accompanied by Archbishop Moussa Hage, Maronite archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land (on his right), and Archbishop Youssef Matta, Greek Catholic (Melkite) archbishop of Acre, Haifa, Nazareth, and Galilee (on his left).

PHOTOS: Cardinal Pizzaballa opens 2025 Jubilee Year in Holy Land

Dec 30, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The entry of the jubilee cross into the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth on Dec. 29 marked the opening... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, leans on his pastoral staff while listening to the proclamation of the Gospel during the Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St. Catherine, the Latin section of the Basilica of the Nativity, on Dec. 24, 2024.

Patriarch of Jerusalem: Let us look to the future with hope, without hatred or violence

Dec 26, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

“Our commitment this Christmas is to rebuild our trust and renew our hope for life here in Bethlehem and throughout... Read more

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, lights a candle in the Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza during his visit there on Dec. 22, 2024.

PHOTOS: Cardinal Pizzaballa shares Christmas message after Gaza visit

Dec 23, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The press conference was not only a chance for the Latin patriarch to share an annual Christmas message but also... Read more

When asked what Christians can do outside the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa responded: “Pray and support. Support the Christian community as much as they can.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa: Pope Francis calls Holy Family Church in Gaza every day

Dec 6, 2024

By Kristina Millare

In a press conference on Dec. 6, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Pope Francis is known by the children... Read more

When asked what Christians can do outside the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa responded: “Pray and support. Support the Christian community as much as they can.”

Jerusalem cardinal: Two-state solution to end Israel-Hamas war is now ‘unrealistic’

Oct 21, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa indicated that for now a two-state solution to end the war between Israel and Hamas in the... Read more

Eight people in this church and adjoining buildings in Derdghaya, Lebanon, were killed.

Israeli missile destroys Catholic church in Lebanon; at least 8 dead

Oct 11, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

A church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Tyre, Lebanon, has been hit by a missile from Israeli airstrikes... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, at a meeting with other Arab bishops on Aug. 28, 2024, at the Vatican.

Jerusalem patriarch announces ‘day of prayer and fasting’ on Oct. 7 anniversary

Sep 26, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

“May each of us with the rosary or in whatever form he or she sees fit ... find a moment... Read more

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition cover the altar, just dedicated by the cardinal. The covering of the altar signifies that it is both the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice and the Lord’s table.

Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant Church reopens in the Holy Land, new altar dedicated

Sep 12, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, recently came to the basilica to dedicate its new altar on the... Read more

Christian churches in Jordan have called upon Christians to participate in the upcoming elections.

Two Catholic patriarchs address the people of Jordan with distinct messages

Sep 4, 2024

By ACI MENA

On the eve of Jordan’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for Sept. 10, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa sent a written message addressed to... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the bishops of the Arabian region on Aug. 28, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis meets Middle East Catholic bishops amid fears of all-out war in region

Aug 28, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy Father encouraged the bishops to “bear witness to faith in [the Lord], also through respectful and sincere dialogue... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land,  discussed prospects for peace in the war in Gaza Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in a conversation with Bernhard Scholz, president of the Meeting for Friendship Amongst Peoples Foundation.

Pope Francis and Cardinal Pizzaballa open lay Catholic meeting against backdrop of war

Aug 20, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis urged the meeting’s participants not to be discouraged by war and the challenges of today but to search... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.

A special prayer for peace in the Holy Land on the feast of the Assumption of Mary

Aug 14, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, said that “these days seem to be important” in order to change the... Read more

Pilgrims attend Mass ahead of a Marian procession on May 31, 2024, near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem to ask Our Lady of Palestine to intercede for peace in war-torn Gaza.

Jerusalem’s Marian procession: A call for peace in war-torn Gaza

Jun 3, 2024

By Rafi Ghattas

Palestinian Christians carried a statue of Mary through the streets of Jerusalem to ask Our Lady of Palestine to intercede... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, listens to a question during the May 20, 2024, press briefing with a small group of journalists at the Latin Patriarchate headquarters in Jerusalem about his recent visit to visit the Catholic community in Gaza.

Cardinal Pizzaballa meets with journalists to discuss visit to Catholic parish in Gaza 

May 20, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

After returning from the Catholic parish in northern Gaza, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch, spoke to the press about... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa gives the homily at a Mass in which he took possession of his titular church, St. Onuphrius, in Rome on May 1, 2024.

Cardinal Pizzaballa visits Gaza in show of support, solidarity with ‘suffering population’

May 16, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pizzaballa “entered Gaza and reached the Parish of the Holy Family for a pastoral visit,” said a press release issued... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa gives the homily at a Mass in which he took possession of his titular church, St. Onuphrius, in Rome on May 1, 2024.

Cardinal Pizzaballa: Peace in Holy Land built on dialogue, action

May 3, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“Peace needs the testimony of clear and strong gestures on the part of all believers, but it also needs to... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa gives the homily at a Mass in which he took possession of his titular church, St. Onuphrius, in Rome on May 1, 2024.

Latin patriarch of Jerusalem takes possession of Rome titular church after delays due to war

The ceremony at St. Onuphrius, the titular church of the papal order of the Holy Sepulchre, was scheduled for April... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, gives the final blessing with the relic of the holy cross at the end of the Palm Sunday procession from Bethphage to Jerusalem on March 24, 2024.

PHOTOS: Palm Sunday procession in Holy Land celebrates ‘joy in being Christians’

Mar 25, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, led the procession, which departed from Bethphage on the eastern side of... Read more

Worshipers in front of the Latin church dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus, in the locality known as "Bethany beyond the Jordan," at the exit of the Mass of the feast of Baptism, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Thousands gather at Jordan River with patriarch to mark baptism of Jesus

Jan 13, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

For 24 years, the Catholic community in the region has made a pilgrimage, gathering around its patriarch, to celebrate the... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke about the "courage" and the "madness" of working for peace during his homily during the  Mass of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Pro-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate, in Jerusalem.

The Church in the Holy Land rings in the new year with pleas for peace

Jan 1, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa challenged Christians of the Holy Land to “make a difference.” Read more