This year, the prize shines a spotlight on the small Catholic community in Gaza, whose courage and compassion have offered solace in a region ravaged by violence
Newsroom (09/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In the heart of Gaza’s war-torn landscape, where churches stand as rare havens for the displaced and desperate, the priests and nuns of Holy Family Parish have become a beacon of hope and humanity. On October 15, 2025, their unwavering commitment to serving the vulnerable amid relentless conflict will be recognized with the prestigious Achille Silvestrini International Prize for Dialogue and Peace, awarded in Rome.
The award, established in 2022 to honor the legacy of Cardinal Achille Silvestrini—a Vatican diplomat renowned for his tireless pursuit of peace and interfaith dialogue—celebrates individuals and communities who embody reconciliation and human fraternity. This year, the prize shines a spotlight on the small Catholic community in Gaza, whose courage and compassion have offered solace in a region ravaged by violence. “In a city besieged by hunger and destruction, the priests and sisters of the parish serve and protect hundreds of displaced and destitute people—women and children above all—offering an extraordinary witness to solidarity and peace,” the award citation declared.
Led by Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Holy Family Parish has transformed its modest compound into a sanctuary for families trapped by bombardment. For months, the parish has provided food, medicine, and shelter, but perhaps its most profound gift is the restoration of dignity to those stripped of it by war. Unable to leave Gaza due to the ongoing conflict, the parish’s clergy will be represented at the ceremony by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who will accept the award on their behalf.
The Achille Silvestrini Prize, now in its fourth year, carries both symbolic and material weight. Its monetary component stems from a fundraising initiative named Le rondini torneranno a Gaza (“The swallows will return to Gaza”), a poetic nod to the hope of renewal in a land scarred by loss. The award ceremony, set to take place at the Villa Nazareth University College Theater in Rome, will draw an audience of church leaders, civic figures, and dignitaries, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. Adding a poignant touch, a group of Palestinian youths from Gaza, now under the care of the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome, will attend, bearing witness to the parish’s impact. The evening will conclude with a musical tribute by acclaimed composer Nicola Piovani, who has crafted a piece inspired by the parish’s resilience.
Cardinal Edoardo Menichelli, president of the awarding association, described the recognition as both a tribute and a call to action. “This award is prophetic,” he said, “drawing the world’s gaze to a place where compassion persists against all odds.” In a region where conflict has eroded trust and hope, the Holy Family Parish stands as a testament to the enduring power of human solidarity. As the swallows of the prize’s namesake symbolize return and renewal, so too does this small community’s work offer a fragile but unyielding light in the darkness of war.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Zenit News
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