POpe Francis died on Monday April 21 after being released from the hospital on March 23, after a five -week stay which saw him fight with double pneumonia and its various complications. He was 88 years old. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was elected successor to Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. He was the first non -European pope in 1,200 years, and was noted for his calls for peace in the middle of a world conflict.
As Pope Francis recalls his awareness of communities far beyond the Vatican, his relationship with the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza stands out. The Pope called the small parish daily thousands of kilometers from his home, starting practice shortly after the start of the War of Israel-Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Now, after the death of Pope Francis, the parish and his congregation honor the special relationship they shared with the religious leader.
“We have lost a saint who taught us every day to be courageous, to keep the patient and to stay strong. We have lost a man who was fighting every day in all directions to protect this little herd, “said George Antone, head of the Emergency Committee of Saint Famille Church in Gaza, said George Antone Reuters. “We have a broken heart because of the death of Pope Francis, but we know that he leaves behind a church that cares about us and who knows us by name – every single of us. He used to tell everyone: I am with you, don’t be afraid.”
In a video published on February 26 on the Jerusalem website, Father Gabriel Romanelli of the parish of the Holy Family in Gaza, explained how he was delighted when the Pope called them again.
“This blessed call, as he had done every day since the start of this terrible war. Pope Francis again called us to show his proximity, pray for us and give us his blessing,” said Father Gabriel, an Argentinian like Pope Francis. “It is always comforting, knowing that despite his delicate state of health, he continues to think and pray for everyone, for peace in Gaza and thanking us.”
In a recording of a facetime call shared by the Vatican in January, the Pope could be seen talking to the Fathers Gabriel Romanelli and Youssef Asaad, rector and vice-rector of the parish. The pontiff asked them how they were, and the conversation even spread to what everyone had eaten for supper. He also presented himself to a local doctor and child.
Cardinal Nichols, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster in the United Kingdom, spoke of the special bond between Pope Francis and the parish of the Holy Family. “I was happy to receive a word from Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy family church in Gaza, which he recently talked about with Pope Francis and his community finds great comfort when hearing the Pope’s voice,” he said in an update of February 27.
During the hospitalization of the Pope, the parish of the Holy Family met to film a video, sending the head of the Catholic Church their good wishes. “Everyone prays for you, they are very grateful and we all wish you health,” said a priest.
Pope Francis’ last telephone call with the parish would have taken place on weekends before his death, by Reuters.
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The parish of the Holy Family is the only Catholic Church in the Gaza Strip – one of the most densely populated areas in the world and where almost 70% of the structures were destroyed due to the war, according to an analysis of December 2024 by the United Nations. Christians would only exclude 0.05% of the region, making it a religious minority. The parish holds mass and often welcomes more than 500 people, offering them food and shelter.
Pope Francis has long expressed his concern about the war that followed the events of October 7. His prayers for the region were repeated during what was going to become his last message and the blessing Urbi and Orbi Easter Sunday. The pope called for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in other world war areas.
“I express my proximity to the sufferings of … all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” said the Pope in a message transmitted to the public by an assistant. “I appeal to the War Parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come with the help of a hungry people who aspire to a future of peace!”
(Due to his poor health, Pope Francis could not chair the mass of Easter, but has always made a public appearance and blessed those who had gathered.)
–With the contributions of Rebecca Schneid
