Following his meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, said the Christian presence in the Holy Land is facing “a difficult reality” amid growing violence and the absence of any political horizon.
Speaking to ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, the patriarch said ongoing instability is increasing the vulnerability of local communities and deepening people’s uncertainty about the future.
The patriarch’s remarks came after an official ceremony at the Élysée Palace attended by French political and Church leaders, during which Macron awarded Pizzaballa the rank of officer in the Legion of Honor in recognition of his service to the people of the Holy Land and his ongoing efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and defend the values of justice and peace.
The cardinal said his meetings with Macron were “important and direct” and that their discussion focused less on political details, which the president already knows, and more on social issues, people’s concerns, and their daily realities in both Palestine and Israel.
He added that Macron showed particular interest in understanding how the Church interprets current developments and in learning about the humanitarian situation of Christian communities in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
Pizzaballa also noted that Palestinian Christians “do not differ in their suffering from other Palestinians.” Settlements continue to expand, lands are being confiscated, and landowners are often prevented from accessing or working their property, he said. At the same time, attacks by settlers continue amid what he described as a clear lack of security.
He also pointed to the economic crisis that is prompting many Christian families to consider emigration, especially after years of war, declining employment opportunities, and the suspension of development projects.
Pizzaballa called on the international community and churches in the West to “redouble their efforts to create real opportunities, build connections, and develop new pathways that enable families to remain in their homeland and preserve their roots.
Regarding the Church’s mission in the context of the conflict, Pizzaballa stressed that its role begins with speaking the truth and condemning injustice. It also includes promoting mutual respect, helping build dignified lives, and accompanying people as they seek to overcome despair.
The Church, he said, “tries to be a voice reminding everyone of the humanity of the other,” while combining spiritual care with advocacy for justice and peace.
The patriarch also reflected on the region’s broader tensions, noting that conflict has become part of the culture of the region after generations of violence. Overcoming this legacy, he said, “will not happen anytime soon,” particularly in the absence of leadership capable of looking beyond the barriers imposed by violence.
He added that the Church remains committed to serving as “a bridge of hope” at a time when trust is diminishing and fears are increasing.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
