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Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa delivered his final address in Jerusalem before heading to the Vatican for his first conclave, where he will participate in selecting the next pope. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urged his diocese to join in prayer as he departed after celebrating Mass for Pope Francis at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
“It is a moment during which we need to be united in prayer, first for me, because this is a time in which I carry a great and important responsibility,” Cardinal Pizzaballa stated in a recorded message. “And we must all pray for the church, for we are a part of a big body which is (the) universal church — the Catholic Church. I am sure that your prayers, all together, will bring the right choices for the good of the universal church.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa, a potential candidate for the papacy at the age of 60, concluded his message with a blessing and the words “see you soon.” A video showed religious followers waving as his car left the Latin Patriarchate compound in Jerusalem's Old City.
On April 23, the patriarch joined in a Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to honor Pope Francis' pontificate and pray for his soul. Key figures included Cardinal Mykola Bychok, eparchal bishop of Sts. Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians; Franciscan Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land; and Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, the apostolic nuncio to Israel, along with other bishops and priests.
In his homily, Father Patton reflected on the church's sorrow and hope, emphasizing Pope Francis' request for prayers and care for those in the Holy Land. He mentioned Pope Francis' final appeal for peace in Gaza, urging warring parties to agree to a ceasefire, aid the starving, and release hostages, underscoring an enduring message of mercy.
Father Patton encouraged the faithful to embrace Pope Francis' humility and love, reminding them that the resurrection signifies that life prevails over death.
This report is provided by Judith Sudilovsky for OSV News from Jerusalem.
