Gaza: Archbishop Pierbatista Pisabella, the Vatican’s representative in the Holy Land, spent the Gaza Strip with the faithful. The Bishop of Isabella, the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, visited the conflict in Gaza from 13 to 15 December, meeting with the parishioners, church feasting, Christmas celebrations, and the first Eucharistic reception. A visit to Gaza a week before Christmas has become a practice of the Latin Patriarchate leaders in Jerusalem over the past several years.
In Gaza, with a population of around 2 million, there are now only about 1,000 Christians. Of these, only two hundred are Catholics. The majority are Greek Orthodox churchmen. Meanwhile, this year’s Christmas celebration in Jerusalem will remain a dream for Christians in Gaza. This time, it has been repeated that the authorities forbid temporary visas to enter Israel to visit the holy lands of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Nazareth, and to participate in Christmas celebrations. However, the Christian community in Gaza is ready to welcome Christmas even in the face of unfavorable conditions.
