Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has underscored the transformative power of prayer in a region where peace remains elusive.
Newsroom (22/08/2025, Gaudium Press ) As the world prepares for the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on August 22, called by Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has underscored the transformative power of prayer in a region where peace remains elusive. In an exclusive interview with Vatican News, the Patriarch expressed gratitude for the Pope’s unwavering focus on peace and emphasized that prayer and fasting are vital tools to foster trust and goodwill amid ongoing conflict in the Holy Land.
A Call to Prayer and Fasting
Pope Leo XIV has invited Catholics worldwide to join in a day of prayer and fasting on August 22, the feast of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, to implore “peace and justice” for those suffering from armed conflicts, particularly in the Holy Land and Ukraine. Patriarch Pizzaballa welcomed the initiative, noting that it aligns with previous efforts by the Church to dedicate days to prayer and fasting. “It is the only thing we can do right now,” he said, “to pray and to fast, to keep our attention directed toward God, so that the hearts of men may change.”
Prayer as a Catalyst for Change
The Cardinal cautioned against viewing prayer as a “magic formula” that instantly resolves conflicts. Such an approach, he warned, risks leading to frustration. Instead, he described prayer as a means to open hearts in a context marked by hatred and rejection. “The heart must always remain open to trust, to the desire to do good, to build good,” Pizzaballa said. “This is the strength of prayer, especially in the Holy Land, where recognizing the other is almost impossible at this moment.”
In a region scarred by violence and division, where the concept of peace struggles to find footing, the Patriarch emphasized that prayer and fasting provide strength to those enduring unimaginable hardship. “It finds no ground in the institutions, in the great organizations, whether political or—alas—also religious,” he said. Yet, he highlighted the resilience of individuals, movements, and groups who refuse to succumb to despair, asserting that prayer fosters a bond among people of all faiths who believe that “the heart of man, even in the Holy Land, can change.”
Faith Amid Crisis in Gaza
Reflecting on his recent visit to the Christian community in Gaza following the bombing of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Patriarch Pizzaballa underscored the enduring presence of faith in the face of devastation. During a July 22 press conference alongside Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, he noted that “Christ is not absent from Gaza.” The community’s resilience, he explained, stems from their commitment to prayer and solidarity. “Their strength to resist, to try to help everyone despite everything, to bring food, to distribute medicine—this strength comes precisely from prayer and from their being together,” he said.
A Region in Limbo
As the Day of Prayer and Fasting approaches, the situation in the Holy Land remains precarious. “The information we are receiving from the territory is confused,” Patriarch Pizzaballa said. “There has been no direct order of evacuation, but the fighting is drawing ever closer to our area, the areas adjacent to ours have been evacuated, so here we are, waiting to understand what to do.” Despite the uncertainty, the faithful in the Holy Land will gather on Friday to pray for peace, for themselves, and for their neighbors, seeking an end to the pervasive anxiety that grips the region.
A Universal Call
The Patriarch’s message resonates beyond the Holy Land, aligning with Pope Leo XIV’s global call to action. By uniting in prayer and fasting, the faithful are invited to contribute to a collective effort to soften hearts and foster hope, even in the most challenging circumstances. For Patriarch Pizzaballa, this act of spiritual solidarity is a testament to the enduring belief that change is possible, even in a land where peace seems distant.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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