In the midst of conflict and personal health struggles, the late Pope Francis maintained a powerful connection with Gaza’s Holy Family Church, the sole Catholic church in the region. Throughout the war between Israel and Hamas, the pope reached out daily, even while enduring a nearly 40-day hospital stay.
The Holy Family Church stands as one of three churches in Gaza, alongside Orthodox and Baptist congregations. Amidst ongoing violence, the church has become a refuge, sheltering over 500 individuals, which represents more than half of Gaza’s Christian populace.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, who leads the church and shares Argentinian roots with the late pope, shared his sentiments on the pope’s passing with Sky News.
“It’s a very sad day for us,” he expressed. “We lost him. In the same time, we lost him in Easter – for us as Christians, it’s a good sign, a wonderful sign of the mercy of the Lord.”
Father Romanelli recounted that Pope Francis’ last call to the church occurred on a Saturday. During this conversation, the pope expressed gratitude for the church’s efforts in Gaza and extended his blessing to both Christians and others in the area, emphasizing the importance of prayer.
Even during his stay in Gemelli Hospital earlier in the year, Pope Francis acknowledged the church’s prayers and support during his illness, describing them as a source of “closeness.”
Father Romanelli added, “[He] was a very humble servant of the Lord.”
“All the time he told us, for this period – more than one year and a half, and he called every day, every day – he asked to help people, to protect the children.”
The Holy Family Church, like many in the region, has felt the impacts of the surrounding conflict. In December 2023, Israeli sniper fire claimed the lives of two women. Additionally, a separate Israeli airstrike on Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church resulted in 18 casualties.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
