Amid intensifying conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Pope Francis shows concern and solidarity with all those suffering from the violence, especially the Christian community in the region

Newsroom (13/10/2023 14:10, Gaudium Press) The Holy Father Pope Francis telephoned Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the only Catholic church in Gaza, twice to show his concern about the escalation of the conflict in recent days and his closeness to the Christian faithful in the region.

The first phone call was made on October 9 and the second on October 10. Francis said that the faithful can count on his prayers and his blessing. The priest took advantage of the call to thank the Pope for his appeal for peace during the Angelus the previous day. Father Romanelli expressed his concern and told Vatican News that he had never experienced such levels of violence in the region.

When the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel began on Saturday, Father Romanelli was in the city of Bethlehem and has not been able to return to Gaza since. However, he reported that the Catholic community is fine and that there are no wounded among them.

The parish is currently taking in 150 people, including Catholics and Muslims, who have lost their homes because of the bombings. The priest said that a Catholic school has also taken in other families. He explained that many seek refuge in the homes of relatives or acquaintances in the hope of finding a safer place. However, the priest said that in recent days the entire Gaza Strip has been bombed, making it difficult to find a truly safe place.

When asked what the faithful think, the priest explained that people are used to not expressing their opinions because they don’t trust anyone. But he said that everyone is tired of the violence and very saddened by the deaths of so many innocent people.

Father Romanelli emphasized that the situation in Gaza is serious, with electricity cuts, fuel shortages, and the need to stock up on food and water. The population, both Christian and Muslim, faces a scenario of uncertainty and fears a ground invasion by Israel, which could further aggravate the already chaotic situation. (FM)

Compiled by Dominic Joseph