Pope Francis called the parish priest in Gaza, Father Gabriel Romanelli, and assured him of his prayers for the entire church community there. The priest, who comes from Argentina like the pope, is currently in Bethlehem and is waiting for the opportunity to return to his parish.
The Pope’s call was announced on Tuesday by Father Gabriel Romanelli, who is currently outside his parish in Bethlehem.
– Yesterday I talked to Pope Franciswho expressed his closeness and assured prayers for the entire church community in Gaza and for all parishioners and residents, said Father Romanelli, quoted by the Italian Catholic Agency Sir.
Pope FrancisMondadori Portfolio Editorial/Getty Images
Refugees in a parish in Gaza
The parish priest is waiting to be able to return to his parish of the Holy Family in Gaza. – I thanked the Pope for his appeal for peace in… Israel and Palestine, which he directed during the Angelus prayer on Sunday, he informed.
According to the Sir agency, there are currently 130 refugees in Father Romanelli’s parish, and others have found hospitality in nearby parish facilities. Israeli “bombing is constant and heavy. The fear of a land invasion is growing,” added the Gaza priest.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 260,000 residents across the Gaza Strip have already had to leave their homes due to the siege and Israeli airstrikes. This number will probably increase – it was reported.
Main photo source: Mondadori Portfolio Editorial/Getty Images