#BreakingNews Cardinal of Jerusalem Visits Gaza's Catholic Church with a Message of Hope to the Faithful in the Midst of War - VIDEO
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9LM8Tafgw3FO8kOvHNMPHQ-iZeNG4DtAIQcyyp6WbxQ7WY-Be-t13YNvppdAmtd5vnsr9oxBIfKrRdZHVzOw2HMgqkiI7_Usg_z5hZyDwJ4WiCBevLOfpa4U1_BrVD7uWCJVXqA1p5oh_ojFJDuZajnXZc57TQHes7sBRSCXlM-iMV7gg77SvS4f_J6e/w640-h362/Untitled%20(48).jpeg)
According to BBC, the overall number of reported deaths in Gaza from the 2023-24 war - currently stands at over 35,000 people killed of which 52% are deaths of women and children.
On May 16th, 2024, His Beatitude, Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem entered Gaza and reached the parish of the Holy Family for a pastoral visit.
Together with His Beatitude were His Excellency, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fr. Gabriele Romanelli, parish priest of Gaza and a small delegation. They met the suffering population to encourage them and to deliver a message of hope, solidarity, and support. His Beatitude presided the mass in the parish church with the local community. During his stay, His Beatitude paid a courtesy visit to the St. Porphyrius Orthodox parish, in Gaza City, where 18 Palestinians lost their lives from an October 18, 2023, missile strike by Israel. ( https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2023/10/breaking-israel-airstrike-hits-historic.html )
A Memorandum of Understanding establishing the joint mission was signed between the Parties on May 14th and will be carried out by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Sovereign Order of Malta and its worldwide relief agency, Malteser International and other partners.
The Order of Malta’s long-time presence in the Holy Land.
The Order of Malta continues to serve the Holy Land and operates a maternity hospital in Bethlehem where over 4,500 babies are born each year. It is the only hospital in the region equipped with an intensive neonatology ward capable of treating premature babies or those born with serious genetic disorders. The hospital has seen over 100,000 babies born since 1990, some born at less than 32 weeks’ gestation. The Holy Family Hospital serves a catchment area of one million people and is an important reference hospital for women and children’s health in the region. The staff consists of Christian and Muslim doctors and nurses.The Order of Malta’s presence in the Holy Land is further demonstrated by the extensive assistance projects carried out in Lebanon. Over 10 medical clinics are in operation, providing relief to the neediest in different areas of the country. Many of the projects are run in close collaboration with the Sunni, Shia, and Druze communities. The Order of Malta has also special expertise in in providing aid and relief to refugees and internally displaced people in war-torn areas, including Ukraine, where it is actively present in over 70 cities proving humanitarian aid and psycho-social support. Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Release and The Order of Malta
Comments