The Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has called for a day of prayer and fasting on October 17 for peace and reconciliation in Israel and Palestine, collectively known by Christians as the Holy Land.
Catholic News Agency reported that he specifically urged Catholics to organize times of prayer, including but not limited to attending Mass, the recitation of the rosary, and Eucharistic adoration "to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation."
"In this time of sorrow and dismay, we do not want to remain helpless," he said in a statement issued on Wednesday (October 11). "We cannot let death and its sting be the only word we hear."
Pizzaballa - who serves as the bishop of Latin Catholics living in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Cyprus - acknowledged that the war might inhibit many Catholics in the Holy Land from organizing large gatherings and encouraged "simple and sober common moments of prayer in parishes, religious communities, and families."
Global Catholics Respond to Patriarch's Challenge
Upon publishing the call to prayer, Catholics from around the world have pledged on social media to join the day of prayer and fasting in solidarity with the people directly affected by the back-and-forth strikes.
He also called for peace to be restored at the soonest time possible and called for the international community to begin reviewing the situation in the Middle East.
"We need support, to condemn all forms of violence, to isolate the violent, and to work relentlessly for a cease-fire," he added. "Because as long as weapons speak, it will not be possible to hear other voices."
The day of fasting selected by Cardinal Pizzaballa fell on the Catholic feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, a first-century bishop and martyr from Syria.
All Christian Leaders in Jerusalem Call for Peace
In a separate interview with Vatican state media, he feared that the war Israel and Hamas were in would be a long one.
"Probably the Israeli response will not be limited to bombing but there will be a ground operation," the cardinal said. "It is clear that we have suddenly entered a new phase in the life of this country and in the relations between Israel and Palestine. If one can speak of relations."
Pizzaballa was recently named a cardinal by Pope Francis late last month, the first modern Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to be named as such.
The Greek Orthodox churches have also stated their solidarity with the Christians in Jerusalem in a separate statement.
"War is a tragedy for the civilian population and young children, who at this tender age face the horrors of war and the agony of death," it wrote. "We unequivocally condemn any terrorist act against our fellow human beings, of any race and religion, wherever they come from"
Meanwhile, Pizzaballa and other patriarchs and leaders of churches in Jerusalem made a joint statement of their united call for peace.
"The Holy Land, a place sacred to countless millions around the world, is currently mired in violence and suffering due to the prolonged political conflict and the lamentable absence of justice and respect for human rights," the joint statement wrote. "In these trying times, we come together to raise our voices in unity, echoing the divine message of peace and love for all humanity."
