Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline underscored the church’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocating for the release of Israeli hostages.
Newsroom (21/08/2025, Gaudium Press ) Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France, concluded a five-day visit to the Holy Land on Aug. 20, 2025, emphasizing solidarity with local Christians and support for peace efforts in a region marred by conflict. The visit, his first major action as president of the French bishops’ conference since July 1, underscored the church’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocating for the release of Israeli hostages.
Accompanied by Bishop Benoit Bertrand of Pontoise and Archbishop Vincent Jordy of Tours, both vice presidents of the conference, Cardinal Aveline spoke at a press conference in Jerusalem on Aug. 19. “We know that there are friends here, on all sides,” he said, reflecting on the shared burden of the region’s violence. “In our heads, in our hearts, in our prayers, we feel how much this situation weighs on us.”
Gaza’s Escalating Crisis
The delegation’s visit coincided with intensified fighting in Gaza, where Israel’s expanding military campaign and Hamas’s continued detention of hostages—50 in total, with 20 believed to be alive—have deepened the humanitarian tragedy. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported on Aug. 20 that bombardment sounds were “dangerously close” to the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City’s Old City. Local sources noted two heavy explosions near the parish on Aug. 19, prompting displaced families to relocate their tents.
Despite the proximity of violence, Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, told Vatican News that no evacuation order had been issued for the immediate area. In a phone call with Cardinal Aveline, Father Romanelli described the situation as “even more uncertain” but displayed remarkable resilience. “What struck me was the inner strength of this man and his confidence, whatever happens,” the cardinal said, also praising Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch, for his “patience and courage” in navigating the crisis.
Listening and Learning in the West Bank
The French prelates visited the Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank, where they met with Latin, Melkite Catholic, and Greek Orthodox clergy amid rising violence from extremist Israeli settlers. They also made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem, noting the near absence of pilgrims, a stark contrast to the city’s usual vibrancy. “We’re not here to talk. Above all, we came to listen,” Cardinal Aveline said, emphasizing the delegation’s intent to understand the region’s complex issues and share their insights with French and European churches.
The bishops urged a gradual return of pilgrims to bolster the local economy and enable Christian families to remain in the Holy Land. Cardinal Aveline called for a “new type of pilgrimage,” one that fosters “ecclesial solidarity” not only with local Christians but with all residents. He highlighted the challenges faced by local Christians, many of whom lack permits to move freely between areas, unlike foreign pilgrims.
Barriers and Hope
Archbishop Jordy decried the physical and mental “walls” that fuel division and fear, fostering radicalization. “The other becomes someone you don’t know anymore,” he said, stressing the need for deeper engagement and reliable information to counter polarization.
Cardinal Aveline underscored the unique responsibility of the church toward Jerusalem, the “Mother Church,” given its historical and spiritual significance. He acknowledged the delicate balance of maintaining the Christian-Jewish bond amid complex political realities. Quoting Belgian monk Father André Louf, he said, “There are many dreams that have collapsed, a lot of rubble, but God knows how to make masterpieces out of the rubble of our dreams.”
The cardinal concluded with a message of hope rooted in faith: “When all reasons for hope disappear, there remains in the hearts of those who believe in Christ the hope of his resurrection.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from OSV News
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