Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visited Gaza on Friday in a pastoral mission aimed at supporting the territory’s Christian community amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem were accompanied by Dr Josef D. Blotz, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and representatives of the Order’s aid agency, Malteser International.

According to a joint statement, the visit was intended to express the Churches of Jerusalem’s pastoral concern for local Christians and for the wider population of Gaza, where many families continue to face hardship, displacement and uncertainty.

During their visit, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos were expected to meet clergy, Religious, local Christian families and others affected by the conflict. The statement said the leaders hoped to offer spiritual support through prayer and personal encounters with those suffering the effects of the crisis.

The participation of the Order of Malta and Malteser International highlighted the organisations’ continuing involvement in humanitarian and healthcare assistance in Gaza, the statement said.

The visit comes as humanitarian agencies continue to warn of severe conditions in the territory after months of conflict, with shortages of food, medical supplies and other essential services affecting much of the population.

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