Pope Leo XIV has joined the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem in a heartfelt plea for an immediate end to the war in Gaza
Newsroom (27/08/2025, Gaudium Press )In a rare and powerful display of ecumenical solidarity, Pope Leo XIV has joined the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem in a heartfelt plea for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, coupled with an urgent call for unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach the beleaguered enclave. The joint appeal, issued on Tuesday, August 26, by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Patriarch Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, marks a significant moment of unity among Christian leaders in the Holy Land, who have collectively decried the ongoing violence and its devastating toll on civilians.
A Unified Cry for Peace
The Patriarchs’ statement, released from Jerusalem, minced no words in condemning the “deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians” in Gaza. “There has been enough devastation, in the territories and in people’s lives,” the Patriarchs declared, emphasizing that the cycle of violence must end. Their appeal underscored the moral imperative to prioritize the common good, reject vengeance, and seek a path toward healing for families on all sides of the conflict. “There is no reason to justify keeping civilians as prisoners and hostages in dramatic conditions,” they said, calling for a conversion of hearts to pursue “justice and life” for Gaza and the broader Holy Land.
On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV amplified their message, lending the weight of the Vatican to their cause. Speaking from Rome, the pontiff recalled the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace, observed on August 22, as a moment of global solidarity with those suffering in the region. “Today I renew a strong appeal both to the parties involved and to the international community, that an end be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death,” he said. His words carried a tone of urgency, reflecting the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians have borne the brunt of the conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023, between Israel and Hamas.
A Plea for Humanity
Pope Leo XIV’s statement went beyond a general call for peace, outlining specific demands to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. He urged for the immediate release of all hostages, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, and the facilitation of safe and unimpeded humanitarian aid deliveries. Additionally, he emphasized the need for strict adherence to international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians and the prohibition of collective punishment, indiscriminate force, and forced displacement. “I appeal for all hostages to be freed, a permanent ceasefire to be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid to be facilitated, and humanitarian law to be fully respected,” he said.
The Pope concluded his appeal with a spiritual invocation, turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a symbol of hope and reconciliation. “Let us implore Mary, Queen of Peace, source of consolation and of hope,” he said. “May her intercession obtain reconciliation and peace in that land so dear to us all.” This invocation not only reflects the pontiff’s deep faith but also serves as a reminder of the shared spiritual heritage that binds Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Holy Land—a region sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths.
A Pastoral Presence Amid Crisis
The Patriarchs’ appeal was informed by their firsthand experience of the war’s impact. In late July, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos III made a pastoral visit to Gaza following an Israeli airstrike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City, which claimed three lives and injured several others. The visit underscored the critical role of Christian institutions in providing refuge amid the chaos. Since the war’s onset, the Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Porphyrius Orthodox Church have sheltered hundreds of civilians, offering a semblance of safety in a region where nowhere feels secure.
“We do not know exactly what will happen on the ground, not only for our community, but for the entire population,” the Patriarchs said in their joint statement. Their words reflect the uncertainty and fear that pervade Gaza, where the future remains precarious for both the Christian minority and the broader Palestinian population. Yet, they were unequivocal in their rejection of a future built on “captivity, displacement of Palestinians, or revenge.” Instead, they called for a vision rooted in justice, compassion, and coexistence.
The Broader Context
The war in Gaza, now in its second year, has exacted a staggering toll. According to humanitarian organizations, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. The blockade of Gaza has severely restricted access to food, water, medicine, and other essentials, exacerbating an already dire situation. The Patriarchs’ and Pope’s appeals come at a time when international attention to the crisis has waned, overshadowed by other global conflicts and domestic priorities.
The joint statement from the Patriarchs and the Pope’s endorsement represent a clarion call to the international community to refocus on Gaza. Their unified stance also carries symbolic weight, bridging divides within Christianity to speak with one voice on a matter of universal human concern. For the Patriarchs, who live and minister in the heart of the conflict, the appeal is not merely rhetorical but a reflection of their daily reality—pastoring communities under siege, offering solace to the grieving, and advocating for those whose voices are often unheard.
A Call to Action
The appeals from Pope Leo XIV and the Jerusalem Patriarchs are more than expressions of sorrow; they are a challenge to the world’s conscience. By calling for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the protection of civilians, they are urging both local actors and global powers to take concrete steps toward peace. The emphasis on humanitarian aid underscores the immediate need to address the suffering of Gaza’s residents, many of whom face starvation and disease amid the ongoing blockade.
For the faithful, the invocation of Mary, Queen of Peace, serves as a reminder that prayer and action must go hand in hand. The Patriarchs’ pastoral visit to Gaza, despite the risks, exemplifies this commitment to presence and solidarity. Their joint appeal, now amplified by the Pope, is a testament to the power of faith to inspire hope and demand justice, even in the darkest of times.
As the war in Gaza grinds on, the voices of these Christian leaders stand as a beacon, calling for an end to the violence and a renewed commitment to the dignity of every human life. Whether their pleas will pierce the inertia of geopolitics remains to be seen, but their message is clear: peace is not a luxury, but a necessity—and it begins with the courage to act.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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