Franciscan friar Ibrahim Faltas reflects on two years of pain since October 7, 2023, urging peace through truth, forgiveness, and unity in the Holy Land.
Newsroom (07/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In the heart of Jerusalem, Franciscan friar and director of the Custody of the Holy Land’s schools, Father Ibrahim Faltas, reflects on the profound pain of the past two years. From the devastating wound inflicted on October 7, 2023, to the ongoing hatred and violence that continue to scar two peoples yearning for peace, stability, and security, his message is clear: peace requires action rooted in truth and forgiveness. Drawing inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, Father Faltas calls for unity and reconciliation in a land torn by conflict.
“‘Where there is injury, let me bring pardon. Where there is discord, let me bring union,’” Father Faltas recites, quoting the Simple Prayer of St. Francis. These words, he says, offer a timeless guide for those striving to be peacemakers. “St. Francis shows us how to be effective agents of peace,” he explains, emphasizing that true peacebuilding demands responsibility and a commitment to truth in response to the errors of violence inflicted on innocent, unarmed people.
On the evening of October 3, 2025, as Father Faltas meditated on these words during a commemoration of St. Francis’s passing at the Church of San Salvatore in Jerusalem, a glimmer of hope emerged. News arrived of a conditional acceptance of a peace proposal—a fragile but significant step forward. “‘Where there is error, let me bring truth,’” he reflects, underscoring that peace, long desired and awaited, hinges on all parties’ willingness to confront the truth and repair the damage caused by violence.
For the people of the Holy Land, this hope shines like a new light piercing the darkness. Though the path to peace remains uncertain and lacks detail, Father Faltas urges that it must be nurtured and protected. “The deep, invisible wounds need care and time to heal without festering or spreading further,” he says. The memory of October 7, 2023—a date etched in history as a wound for both Palestinians and Israelis—cannot be erased. Like other moments marked by hatred and violence, it remains a painful milestone in humanity’s collective memory.
Father Faltas acknowledges the enduring anguish of the past two years and beyond but insists that true peacemakers must work to help both peoples forgive. “The weapons that harm are not only those that kill bodies,” he says. “Words, the absence of truth, injustices, and denied rights are also weapons.” To build lasting peace, he argues, humanity must unite to ensure equal opportunities for growth and development, guaranteeing just living conditions for those who have been deprived or robbed of them.
St. Francis, known for his humility and depth, offers a clear directive: console, understand, and love one another. For Father Faltas, these are not mere ideals but practical steps for those committed to peace. “Peace must have strong roots to provide stability and security for Palestinians and Israelis,” he says. Both peoples need concrete support aimed solely at their well-being and the rebuilding of societies grounded in respect for laws and rights.
As the second anniversary of October 7, 2023, is marked with sorrow, Father Faltas calls for a renewed commitment to truth—the truth that fosters peace and honors life. “Let us listen to St. Francis,” he urges, “and not waste the time for truth.” In a land scarred by division, his message is a powerful reminder that peace begins with uniting humanity in pursuit of justice, forgiveness, and hope.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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