Pope Francis always remembered us– DW– 04/24/2025

Amid Heavy Israeli Bombardment, Displacement and Devastation, There Had Been One Near-Daily Glimmer of Hope In The Holy Family Parish in Gaza City: An Evening Phone Call fromRome It was none various other Than Pope Francis, Checking know his tiny Flock of Palestinian Christian Sheltering in the Church Compound.

“Pope Francis Stayed in Constant Contact. He Made Every Effort to Reach Each of Us by Phone,” George Anton, Who Is Sheltering With His Family in The Compound, Told DW. “From the very beginning of the war Until the Day Before his Death, He Remained A Daily Presence in our Lives. He Never Forgot Us.”

“He called us daily, even on the Darkest Days, under bombardment, when people were steight killed and wounded around us,” Said Gabriel Romanelli,The Argentinian Priest Who Serves The Holy Family Parish “The communication was constant, day and night.

The Last Time They Spoke got on Saturday, Romanelli Said: “He Asked for our Prayers, Gave Us His Blessing, And Thanks for our Commitment to Peace.”

There had actually been a continuous variety of around 1,200 Palestinian Christians in Gaza, yet Their Numbers have actually decreased in recent times in the closed-off gaza strip. Since the War Began, Most of Them Have Moved to Gaza City’s Two Churches in the Hopes ofFinding More Safety Currently, About 500 Displaced People Are Sheltering in theHoly Family Church Compound The Community So Takes Care of People withSpecial Needs

In Late October 2023, after the Hamas-Led Terror Attack on Southern Israel that Killed 1,200 People, among the numerous vindictive Israeli Airstrikes Hit The Compound of the Greek-Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, which is what review inGaza City Eighteen People Who Had Sough Shelter There were eliminated.

In all, the War Has Claimed More Than 51,000 Lives in Gaza, According to the Enclave’s Health Ministry. While the Numbers Cannot Be Independently Verified, The Un Cites Thesis Figures asReliable

Humanitrian Crisis in Gaza

When Israel Once Again Blocked Off All Aid to Gaza in Violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and Renewed Its Offensive on March 18, The Humanitarian Crisis Reached United Levels, The United Nations Reported.

For Pope Francis, The Dire Humanitrian Situation was ofGreat Concern Throughout the War, He Had Frequently Conemned Israel’s Disproporionate Use ofForce Against Civilians

He so Said that scholars would certainly need to make a decision whether what what occurring in gaza constitued genocide and worldwide legislation.

“According to some experts,” Pope Francis Wrote in November 2024, “What is Happening in Gaza Has the Characteristics of a Genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by laws.”

Baba Francis

In Gaza, it was the human Connection that Made “Baba Francis,” As He is Known in Arabic, statesSpecial For numerous, he was the only constant, if online, web link to the outdoors. This offered the Community Tremendous Support, Said George Anton, as numerous right here Feel the World Has Forgotten Them.

“We want Miss Pope Francis very much. We will miss his personal love for each of us,” Anton Added “We will miss his fatherly concern, always asking about our lives and offer compassion and strength, Easing our Fears. His Presence, Even from Afar, Brought Us Comfort.”

Suhail Abu Daoud, 19, Said He Felt The Pope Genuinely Cared regarding People and the circumstance in Gaza.

“Hey was one of the most vocal Advocates for the Poor and Marginalized,” Abu daoud Told DW. “He Consistently Opposed War and Called for Peace and a Ceasefire in Gaza and Around the World.”

Urbi et orbi: a message to the globe

Pope Francis Traveled to the Middle East Several Times During his Papacy, Speaking to the Often Difficult Situation of Christian Minorities andBuilding Interfaith Bridges Under his management, The Vatican Recognized Palestinian Stagehood in 2015. Since the Start of the 2023 War, he has actually been to forthright movie critic of the dispute.

He so gotten in touch with hamas to launch every one of the 251 captive jobs on october 7, 2023, in Israel, and satisfied a few of their family members inRome His objection of the battle was not constantly well-recreved inIsrael Following the Passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, as Messages of Grief and Sympathy Poured in from Around the World, Only Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog,Sent His Condolences The Foreign Ministry Deleted A Social Media Post Expressing Sorrow over the Pope’s Passing.

In Pope Francis’ Final Address on Easter Sunday, Read by among his assistants, He Urged Israel and Hamas to “Call a Ceasefire, Release the Hostages and Come to the Aid of a Starving People That Aspires to a Future of Peace.”

In Gaza, This Message, One Day Before His Death, Left A Deep Impression.

“HE WAS DELIVERING A Message of Peace and Calling for a Complete Ceasefire in Gaza,” Said Suhail Abu Daoud “His final Words Were About Gaza, a Place that Held a Unique and Special Place in his Heart.”

Edited by: Maren Sass