The meeting underscored the dire challenges facing Bethlehem, from economic collapse to water scarcity and the ongoing exodus of its Christian population.
Newsroom (25/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) The newly appointed mayor of Bethlehem, Maher Nicola Canawati, met Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday morning following the General Audience, delivering an impassioned plea for peace and the preservation of the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The meeting underscored the dire challenges facing Bethlehem, from economic collapse to water scarcity and the ongoing exodus of its Christian population.
A Plea for Hope Amid Crisis
Canawati, who assumed office in May, described the meeting as a critical opportunity to address the escalating hardships in Bethlehem and the wider Palestinian territories. “The first letter I wrote as mayor was to the Pope,” he said. “We believe that from here, we can do many things to support our people and give them hope.”
The mayor highlighted the alarming rate of Christian emigration, driven by conflict, economic devastation, and restricted access to resources. “People are leaving Bethlehem, leaving Palestine because of what’s happening,” he said, noting that settlements surrounding the city now rival its population, intensifying pressure on land and resources.
A Personal Appeal to the Pope
In his discussion with Pope Leo XIV, Canawati emphasized the urgent need to halt the war and protect the “living stones” of the Holy Land—its Christian community. “The Holy Land without its living stones is just a museum,” he told the Pope, advocating for intervention to stop the violence in Gaza and Bethlehem. “My first sentence to the Holy Father was to intervene so we can stop this war. He agreed it’s a top priority.”
Canawati, a Christian himself, noted that Palestinian law mandates Bethlehem’s mayor be Christian to preserve the city’s historic Christian identity, home to the oldest Christian community in the world. Yet, he lamented, “Palestinian Christians are now only 168,000 in the Holy Land, while over 4 million live abroad. This shows the pressure we face.”
Bethlehem’s Struggles: From Economy to Access
The mayor painted a grim picture of life in Bethlehem, where the economy, heavily reliant on pilgrimage and tourism, has collapsed since the war’s outbreak on October 7, 2023. “All 84 hotels are closed. Souvenir shops, olive wood workshops, and jewelry businesses are shuttered,” Canawati said. Unemployment has soared from 14% to 65%, with over 120,000 Bethlemites, many burdened by loans, unable to work in Israeli areas.
Water scarcity compounds the crisis. “We buy our water from the Israelis, who sell us only one-fifth of what a person needs daily,” Canawati explained. Some areas go without water for up to 60 days, while 134 barriers and checkpoints within and around Bethlehem restrict movement, stifling livelihoods and access to basic needs.
A Call for Global Support
Despite the challenges, Canawati expressed gratitude for international solidarity, particularly from Italy and the Latin Patriarchate, which he described as a beacon of hope. “Knowing someone cares about us gives our people hope,” he said. He urged the global community to support local organizations to stem the tide of emigration. “The most important thing is to help people stay,” he stressed.
As Bethlehem grapples with its shrinking Christian population and mounting hardships, Canawati’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV signals a renewed call for action. His message is clear: peace, solidarity, and tangible support are vital to preserving the Holy Land’s living heritage.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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