Gaza's Christians Grieve the Loss of Their Papal Advocate

In the wake of Pope Francis's passing, Christians in Gaza express profound sorrow over the loss of daily support and communication, feeling as if they have become orphans without his guidance and compassion.

"We're orphans now," lament Gaza's remaining Christians as they mourn the passing of Pope Francis. The pontiff, who had established a close relationship with the tiny community, had been a beacon of hope and reassurance throughout the agonizing months of conflict enveloping the region.

Pope Francis would often connect with parishioners at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza via nightly video calls, providing emotional support and comfort amid the violence and chaos. His attempts to communicate in Arabic, such as greeting them with "As-salaam Alaikum," displayed his deep-rooted care for their wellbeing. In a recently released video, the Pope inquired about their daily sustenance, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by Father Gabriel Romanelli and others in the community.

Despite being a minority in an overwhelmingly Muslim population, the few hundred Christians left in Gaza had formed a meaningful bond with the Pope. Father Romanelli recalled that during airstrikes and rough nights, they knew they could count on the pontiff's calls to check in on them. "Sometimes we had no phone connection for hours, and he still tried to reach us," Romanelli shared.

George Anton, an emergency coordinator at the Holy Family church, expressed disbelief when he first spoke with Pope Francis but soon found solace in their regular conversations. The Pope's unwavering support and encouragement to remain strong deeply impacted Anton, especially after he shared his personal losses with the pontiff.

"With his passing, we feel like orphans," Anton said, mourning the end of a unique connection. "There will be no calls, no laughter, and no wisdom shared with us."

The Pope's commitment to peace and justice in the Holy Land was evident as he addressed the ongoing conflict in his final Easter message. Even as he faced criticism for his open stance against the war in Gaza, he remained a figure of moral clarity for many, including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who noted the Pope's determination to advocate for those suffering in the region.

As the Church prepares for a conclave to decide the new pope, hope remains among Gaza's Christians that the next leader will prioritize peace in this tumultuous conflict.