Pope Francis, who passed away on April 22, 2025, maintained a personal connection with Gaza's displaced Christians, providing a message of care amidst ongoing conflict.
Pope Francis' Passing Leaves a Void for Gaza's Christian Community
Pope Francis' Passing Leaves a Void for Gaza's Christian Community
The late pontiff's nightly calls offered hope during turbulent times for Palestinians in Gaza.
In the last months of his life, even while hospitalized, Pope Francis upheld a touching routine of reaching out to Palestinians sheltering in the Holy Family Church in Gaza Strip. His near-nightly phone conversations with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the church's priest, served as a beacon of hope, grounding a beleaguered community amid the chaos of their surroundings. The Holy Family Church emerged as the sole haven for many Christians in the region, where the pontiff demonstrated remarkable empathy for their plight—often calling for peace and a ceasefire during escalated violence.
Father Romanelli recalled how these video calls created a sense of unity and comfort for the hundreds huddled in the church. “The evenings became known as the pope’s time,” he noted, explaining that many of the community members, including young people, would gather for the calls to seek blessings and voice messages intended for world leaders.
The connectivity remained, even as Pope Francis' health declined, with the discussions offering crucial support to the beleaguered congregation. Despite the diminishment in frequency, the importance of these conversations was palpable, highlighting the intimate bond between the young pontiff and the Palestinian Christians.
Now, following his death, reflections on his profound relationship with Gaza’s Christians emphasize the significant loss felt within the community, which had drawn strength from his unwavering support and compassionate leadership during some of their darkest times.
