Holy Father Pope Francis has sent a letter to the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land marking the 800th anniversary of their presence as guardians of the holy sites in the modern day of Israel and Palestine. His Holiness appreciated the Franciscans for their significant contribution to life in the Holy Land, in specific, their work to accompany faithful pilgrims coming from all over the world.
As reported by Vatican radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “The Franciscans are ambassadors for the whole people of God, who support them through the traditional Good Friday collection for the Holy Land and through the Vatican’s Congregation for Oriental Churches, which is currently marking the centenary of its foundation.”
In the message, His Holiness also appreciated the works of Franciscans, who always work closely with the local Churches taking care of the poor, the sick, the elderly and the young people who find it difficult to keep up hope amidst the ongoing conflict.
