Recently, a prayer vigil for peace was organized by Italian bishops at the Vatican, on the occasion of the General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI). In a video message, the Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed gratitude for the support. Cardinal Zuppi, who will visit the Holy Land in June, noted that “evil thrives on the complicity of many.” He emphasized that the Church is a mother: “The gentle persistence of prayer with Mary compels us to persistently seek the path to peace in order to rebuild the human family.”
By: Antonella Palermo – Vatican News
Published on: 21st May 2024
A heartfelt peace vigil is taking place at the Vatican on the eve of the 79th general assembly of Italian bishops.
The focus is particularly on the fate of the Holy Land, where a video message from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who recently visited the small and troubled community of Gaza, has been received.
In his message, the Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed gratitude to the Italian Episcopal Conference for their support to the small community, acknowledging that they have been “deeply affected, with several casualties, but very united and strong.”
The cardinal is witnessing “much pain and suffering, but no anger or resentment.” He emphasized that “at certain times, problems cannot be solved, but we need to be there. To stand there and say that we are present.”
Pizzaballa reassured, “We are doing everything possible to help everyone, to get out of this situation, so that this vicious circle of violence can be interrupted as soon as possible.”
Special thanks were extended to Cardinal Zuppi, the President of the CEI, for deciding to visit the Holy Land in June. “Thank you for helping us to live well, as much as possible, as Christians, as believers, deeply rooted in the land and life of the people, in this very difficult time,” he expressed.
