Jerusalem, Israel – In a joint press conference held this morning in Jerusalem, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa offered a pastoral and humanitarian testimony following their recent visit to Gaza, where they witnessed firsthand the immense suffering of the population under bombardment, blockade, and deprivation.
In his address, Patriarch Theophilos described Gaza as “a land pierced by the wounds of war, where the innocent bleed under the weight of a merciless assault.” He affirmed that the Church entered Gaza as a servant of the crucified Lord, encountering in the faces of survivors a resilient dignity, bearing the image of God even amid widespread destruction.
The Patriarch spoke of the deep impact left by the sight of destroyed churches, particularly the Church of the Holy Family and the Monastery of Saint Porphyrios, where prayer rose alongside the cries of the wounded.
He stressed that the Church’s presence is not symbolic but a living witness to the Gospel’s call to stand beside the oppressed—not with words, but with action.
Concluding the conference, both Patriarchs underscored that the ongoing devastation in Gaza constitutes a humanitarian and moral crisis that cannot be ignored. They affirmed that the Church will remain a living voice of truth, carrying the Cross of hope in the face of injustice and defending human dignity against policies that desecrate the sanctity of life.
