The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has issued an extensive pastoral letter calling Christians in the Holy Land to a path of reconciliation and hope. The letter, titled 'They Returned to Jerusalem with Great Joy,' responds to the deep wounds left by the conflict since the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023. The Cardinal emphasizes that Jerusalem must not be seen as spoils of war, but as a shared heritage of humanity—a place that unites all peoples.
In his message, Pizzaballa paints a picture of a city suffering from division, mistrust, and violence. Yet he reminds us that Jerusalem has universal significance: 'The heart of the world lies in Jerusalem,' he writes. Millions of pilgrims from around the globe seek spiritual renewal here each year, and their absence in recent months underscores how much this city needs to be a place of encounter and peace.
'Jerusalem belongs to no one alone; it belongs to everyone.' – Cardinal Pizzaballa
The pastoral letter calls on the international community to take responsibility for protecting Jerusalem's universal mission. For what happens in this city affects billions of believers worldwide—Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike.
Jerusalem's Therapeutic Vocation
A central concern of the letter is the vision of Jerusalem as a place of healing. The Cardinal describes the Holy City's vocation as 'therapeutic': it is called to heal the wounds of the world. This perspective is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, especially in the Book of Revelation, where Jerusalem appears as an open city welcoming all nations.
'And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.' (Revelation 21:2, ESV)
Pizzaballa makes clear that this openness does not mean tolerating everything. Rather, it means drawing a clear line against all that violates human dignity: violence, lies, and exclusion. 'The city with open gates does not expel anyone, but it clearly defines what is incompatible with its existence,' the Patriarch states.
Christians as Salt, Light, and Leaven
The pastoral letter emphasizes that Christians in the Holy Land are not neutral observers. They are part of their societies—as Arabs, Israelis, Jordanians, or migrants—and are called to work from within. The Cardinal recalls Jesus' words: 'You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world' (Matthew 5:13-14, ESV). This calling demands a concrete decision: rejection of the logic of violence and affirmation of life in all its forms.
Christians are not to suffer passively but to actively bear witness to a different way of living together. They are called to build bridges where walls arise and to enable dialogue where hatred reigns.
Overcoming the Dehumanization of the Other
Another key point of the pastoral letter is the condemnation of the 'dehumanization of the other.' Pizzaballa describes a society increasingly fragmented, where entire communities retreat into themselves and the enemy is perceived only as a threat. This dynamic causes terms like 'dialogue,' 'justice,' and 'human rights' to lose their meaning.
The Cardinal calls for these words to be filled with life again. It is not enough to use them; they must take shape in concrete actions. The Church in the Holy Land must be a place where these values are lived out, despite all adversities.
'Blessed are those
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