A Glimmer of Hope in the Holy Land

Cardinal Pizzaballa's Pastoral Letter on the Eve of a Possible Ceasefire

As the world marks the somber two-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks that ignited the devastating Israel-Hamas war, a faint but significant light has emerged from the rubble. On October 5, 2025, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, issued a poignant pastoral letter to his diocese, blending cautious optimism with a profound spiritual reflection on the ongoing crisis.

Amid reports of a potential ceasefire deal involving the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the Cardinal’s words serve as a timely reminder of the human and divine dimensions of peace.

The Context: Two Years of Unrelenting Conflict

The war in Gaza has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left an indelible scar on the region. As Pizzaballa notes in his letter, the horrors include “continued massacres of civilians, starvation, repeated displacement, limited access to hospitals and medical care, lack of hygiene,” not to mention the plight of hostages and detainees. The conflict has spilled over into the West Bank, where settler attacks on Palestinian villages have intensified, often without adequate protection from authorities.

Recent developments, however, offer a sliver of hope. News outlets are buzzing with reports of a brokered ceasefire, including hostage releases and a halt to military operations described by the Cardinal as “an important and long-awaited first step.” This comes after months of stalled negotiations, with international mediators like the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar playing key roles. Yet, as Pizzaballa wisely cautions, “Nothing is entirely clear or definite yet; many questions remain unanswered.”

The deal, if it holds, could mark the beginning of the end for active hostilities, but the road to lasting peace remains fraught.Key Highlights from the Cardinal’s LetterIn his message, Pizzaballa strikes a balance between realism and faith, avoiding partisan politics in favour of a Gospel-centred narrative. Here’s a breakdown of the core elements:

• Cautious Joy Over Progress: The Patriarch expresses relief at the prospect of reunions for hostage families and Palestinian prisoners’ relatives, while rejoicing in the potential end to bombings. He emphasizes that this is “only the first—necessary and indispensable—step” toward rebuilding Gaza.

• Ongoing Challenges in the West Bank: Not limiting his focus to Gaza, Pizzaballa highlights the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, where communities face daily threats from settler violence and bureaucratic hurdles like border closures and permits.

• A Spiritual Critique of Violence: Drawing from Scripture, he decries the “mystery of lawlessness” (2 Thess. 2:7) and the dominance of “power, force, and violence” in modern discourse. He argues that history has shown force cannot impose true peace, pointing to global outrage over Gaza’s images as evidence of a shared human conscience.

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• The Church’s Role in Hope and Reconciliation: The letter calls on the Christian community to reject polarization and embrace forgiveness, inspired by Christ’s passion and resurrection. “Our decision to remain, when everything urges us to leave, is not a challenge but an act of love,” he writes. He urges a narrative that “builds rather than destroys,” through dialogue, solidarity, and charity.

• Calls to Prayer and Action: Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s initiative, Pizzaballa invites the diocese to join a day of fasting and prayer for peace on October 11. He also invokes the intercession of the Queen of Palestine, the diocese’s patroness, as they approach her feast.

The letter has quickly resonated beyond Catholic circles, with shares on social media platforms highlighting its important message.

Why This Message Matters Now