PRESS Communiqué
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
18 July 2025

Jerusalem – Gaza

Cardinal Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos III

head Ecclesiastical Delegation to Gaza Following Strike on Church Compound

In the aftermath of the grievous strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, entered Gaza this morning as part of an ecclesiastical delegation, expressing the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the community of Gaza.

Jerusalem Patriarchate 

July 17, 2025

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses its deepest condemnation and denunciation of the strike that targeted the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. This strike caused extensive damage and casualties to the parish complex, endangering the lives of innocent people, especially those with special needs and displaced persons seeking safe shelter within the church.

Targeting a holy site currently sheltering approximately 600 displaced persons, the majority of whom are children and 54 people with special needs, is a flagrant violation of human dignity and a blatant violation of the sanctity of life and the sanctity of religious sites, which are supposed to provide a safe haven in times of war.

The bombing destroyed large parts of the complex, and those with special needs were forced to evacuate the area, some of whom were unable to receive the respirators they rely on for survival, posing a direct threat to their lives…

Luke 10:38-42

In salvation history, something new happens every time the Lord enters a person’s home and life.

It can happen that an ordinary man or woman becomes a leader (like Moses, for example), that a barren woman becomes pregnant (like Sarah), that a dead person is resurrected (like Lazarus), that the story, in short, takes a completely different turn...

When this happens, we usually find ourselves on the brink of despair: a people long enslaved and exhausted, a barren couple without hope, enemies who humiliate and leave no escape. This happens so that it becomes clear that it is God who works salvation. And it is also clear that God intervenes gratuitously, without asking for anything in return. He chooses a people, a family, a person precisely because of their poverty, their need for salvation, because he loves them…

What is the story of Our Lady of Mount Carmel? [1]

Mount Carmel has been a place of Prayer and closeness to God since the time of the prophet Elijah in the 10th century before Christ (cf. 1 Kings 18:41ff). It was also the site where Elijah’s Prayer brought an end to the drought and famine that had befallen [Israel]. Because of this, the Carmelites consider Elijah one of their spiritual fathers.

The spiritual tradition continued with Christian hermits living on the mountain in persistent Prayer. In the 12th century, the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel was officially founded.

In the 13th century, during a time of persecution, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite Prior, on July 16, 1251, giving him the Brown Scapular. She promised: “This is a privilege for you and the order: whoever dies wearing the Scapular will be saved.”

At the conclusion of the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV asked everyone to pray for all those who are suffering and in need due to war, while recalling Saturday's beatification in Barcelona of Marist Brother Licarion May, who was killed in the early 1900s out of hatred for the faith.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Following the catechesis of Sunday's Angelus, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV called on everyone to pray for peace and to remember all who are suffering due to violence and war and find themselves in need.

The words echoed what he had expressed earlier in his homily during the Mass over which he presided on Sunday morning at the parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova when he spoke about the wounded man in the parable of the Good Samaritan and how violence and poverty destroy dreams and lives.

On Sunday, 30 June / 13 July 2025, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the Holy, Glorious, and All-Praised Apostles at the Patriarchal Holy Monastery dedicated to them. This monastery is located near the city of Tiberias, on the western shore of the Sea of Tiberias, at the place where the Lord appeared to His disciples, as recorded by the Evangelist John and read in the 10th Matins Gospel: “After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing…” (John 21:1–3)

At this beautiful seaside Holy Monastery, His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over Great Vespers on the eve of the feast and led the festive Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on the day itself. Concelebrating with Him were their Eminences Metropolitans Kyriakos of Nazareth and Makarios of Ptolemais, the Elder Chief Secretary Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Secretary of the Holy Synod Archimandrite Christodoulos, together with priests from the surrounding areas, Archdeacon Mark, Hierodeacon Prodromos, and the faithful of the region.

We, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem, are here today in Taybeh in solidarity with the local community following an intensifying trend of systemic and targeted attacks against them and their presence. We ask for the prayers, attention, and action of the world, particularly that of Christians globally.

On Monday, 7 July 2025, radical [Israelis] from nearby settlements intentionally set fire near the town’s cemetery and the Church of Saint George, which dates back to the 5th century. Taybeh is the last remaining all-Christian town in the West Bank. These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community first and foremost, but also to the historic and religious heritage of our ancestors and holy sites. In the face of such threats, the greatest act of bravery is to continue to call this your home. We stand with you, we support your resilience, and you have our prayers.

We give thanks for the local residents and firefighters for extinguishing the fire before our holy sites were destroyed, but we join voices with the local priests - Greek Orthodox, Latin, and Melkite Greek Catholic - issuing a clear plea for support in the face of repeated, systematic attacks from these radicals, which are only growing more frequent.
In recent months, the radicals have led their cattle to graze on the farms of Christians on the east side of Taybeh - the agricultural area - rendering them inaccessible at best but at worst damaging the olive groves that families depend on. Last month, several homes were attacked by these radicals, lighting fires and erecting a billboard that said, translated into English, “there is no future for you here”.

On Saturday, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, inaugurated the fifth Service Week for the youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church from around the world at Karma House in King Mariout.

The opening ceremony included a documentary showcasing the history of the Logos Gatherings from 2018 until now. Afterwards, the youth engaged in a discussion with His Holiness, discussing topics related to service, the work of the apostles, and comparisons between the past and the present.

On Saturday, the 29th of June/12th of July 2025, the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the commemoration of the Holy, Glorious, and Chief of the Apostles, Peter and Paul.

Their sacred memory was honoured in the Church dedicated to their names, which celebrates its patronal feast, located within the Holy Monastery at the city of Capernaum—a place frequently mentioned in the Holy Gospels, now lying in ruins upon the western shore of the Sea of Tiberias.

In honour of these two foremost Apostles, the Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Their Eminences Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth, Metropolitan Makarios of Ptolemais, and the Elder Chief Secretary, His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, together with Archimandrite Christodoulos, priests from the neighbouring regions, including the Russian-speaking priest of Capernaum, Fr Mark, Archdeacon Fr Mark, and Hierodeacon Prodromos.

Jerusalem – Beneath the incense-filled vaults of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most intricate and profound archaeological operations in the Holy Land is unfolding. What began in 2022 as a restoration project for the church’s deteriorating floor has become a journey into the deep layers of sacred history. Led by Prof. Francesca Romana Stasolla of Sapienza University of Rome, and coordinated by the three main Christian communities— the Franciscans (Custody of the Holy Land), the Greek Orthodox, and the Armenians—in collaboration with the Antiquities Authority, this project seeks to preserve the past while protecting the present.

Restoration That Sparked Revelation

The current archaeological project stems from urgent conservation work launched in 2016, when engineers detected alarming signs of structural degradation in both the Edicule (the Tomb of Christ) and the church as a whole—including the flooring, plumbing, and ventilation systems. The urgency was both spiritual and structural.

In his Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly—celebrated each year on the Sunday nearest the feast of Jesus’ grandparents, Sts Anne and Joachim—His Holiness Pope Leo reflects on hope and old age.

By Christopher Wells

Ahead of the Jubilee Year celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly—which this year falls on July 27—Pope Leo writes that “hope is a constant source of joy, whatever our age”, adding, “when that hope has also been tempered by fire over the course of a long life, it proves a source of deep happiness.”

On Monday, the 24th of June / 7th of July 2025, the Feast of the Nativity of the Honourable Forerunner and Baptist John was celebrated at the Holy Monastery of the Nativity of the Forerunner in Ein Karem, his birthplace, which belongs to the Patriarchate. The celebration was marked by Great Vespers on the eve and the Divine Liturgy in the morning, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Ptolemais. Concelebrating with him were Archimandrite Amphilochios, Russian-speaking priests Fr Nikolaos, Fr Vladimir and Fr Sergios from the Church of Ukraine, and Hierodeacon Prodromos.

The chanting was delivered by Hieromonk Dositheos and nuns of the Patriarchate. The congregation consisted of Greek-speaking and Russian-speaking faithful and nuns of the Patriarchate, and the Consul of the Hellenic Consulate, Mr Petros Anagnostaras, was also present.

Lk 10:25-37

The parable of the “Good Samaritan” that we hear today is embedded in the dialog between Jesus and a scribe (Lk 10:25-37) who wants to put him to the test.

The scribe’s question is an important one, the same question that every disciple asks his teacher.

But his attitude is not sincere, is not that of a good disciple: he is not so much looking for an answer as trying to embarrass his interlocutor, to discredit him. The doctor of the Law asks: “Teacher, what must I do to in-herit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25).

Jesus responds to this one, important question with two questions that are also fundamental: “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26).

It is important to keep these two questions together. The complete answer to the doctor of the Law can only be found by holding these two questions of Jesus together. One must indeed know what is written in the Law, what God has revealed about eternal life. But one must also know how to read it, with which heart, with which eye.

The doctor indeed knows the Law well and answers it correctly. But he doesn’t seem to fully understand what it means, how to interpret it. It is the look of someone who wants to justify himself (“But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus...” - Luke 10:29).

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV celebrates the first Mass for the Care of Creation at the Laudato Si’ Village in Castel Gandolfo, and urges Christians to embrace our mission to bring peace and reconciliation to our world and all creation.

By Devin Watkins

Just a few days after beginning his summer holidays in Castel Gandolfo, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first Mass for the Care of Creation,” a new formulary of the Roman Missal.

The Mass took place at the Laudato Si’ Village, an educational center located in the Papal summer residence near Rome, and was attended by the center’s staff.

In off-the-cuff remarks at the start of his homily, the Holy Father said the Mass was being celebrated surrounded by beauty in “a kind of ‘natural’ cathedral.”

The General Secretariat of the Synod releases “Pathways for the Implementation of the Synod”, which provides “an interpretive key for understanding the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality.”

By Christopher Wells

A new document from the Synod of Bishops is intended “to provide an interpretive key for understanding the implementation phase of the synodal process.”

Released by the Synod on Monday, Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod offers “local Churches throughout the world the world a shared framework that will make it easier to walk together” and promotes “the dialogue that will lead the whole Church to the Ecclesial Assembly,” set for October 2028 that will mark the culmination of the synodal process begun by His Holiness Pope Francis in 2020.

With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the summer school officially commenced at the Khoren I Center on June 30, 2025, organized by the center’s committee.

The day commenced with a joint prayer in the Holy Trinity Chapel, followed by a welcome speech from the center’s director, V. Rev. Fr. Zaven Najarian. The summer school coordinator, Maral Harboyan, then welcomed the students, highlighting the exciting and enriching programs they would experience.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV arrives at Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, July 6, 2025, afternoon where he will spend a period of rest. A large group of faithful, including a group of nuns, waited hours for his arrival.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

The signal was the opening of the gate and the exit of two Swiss Guards. Then the roar of motorcycle engines and the dark car appeared from the bottom of the hill before pausing for the Pope to get out to greet the long line of people standing in the sun, who had been waiting for at least a couple of hours behind the barriers that even the mayor had helped to set up this morning. At around 5 p.m., Pope Leo XIV arrived at Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Popes 25 km from Rome, where he will spend a period of summer rest until 20 July and then again for a few days in August.

During his Sunday Angelus, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on the universal call to mission, urging Christians to move beyond occasional faith and become committed witnesses in daily life.

By Francesca Merlo

Addressing the faithful gathered for his Sunday Angelus on 6 July, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV offered a reflection on the missionary nature of the Church, grounded in the Gospel of Luke.

The Pope focused his reflection on Jesus’ sending out of seventy-two disciples, an act which, he explained, represents the universal scope of the Gospel. “The hope of the Gospel is meant for all peoples,” he said, adding that this reflects “the breadth of God’s heart and the abundance of His harvest.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV releases his Prayer intention for the month of July, and invites us to pray that we may know how to choose the right path for our life and reject anything that leads us away from Christ.

By Devin Watkins

“Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV made that invitation in his prayer intention for July 2025, released in The Pope Video, which accompanies his monthly intention.

In the video produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Holy Father offers a prayer to guide Christians in our discernment process.