Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, received France’s Legion of Honor from President Emmanuel Macron in recognition of his work for interreligious dialogue and peace. However, during his visit to the Élysée Palace, the prelate took the opportunity to warn about the worsening living conditions of Christians in the Holy Land and the growing uncertainty facing local communities.
The distinction was awarded in an official ceremony held in Paris, where Macron highlighted Pizzaballa’s commitment to justice, reconciliation and the defense of populations affected by the war in the Middle East. The French president also reaffirmed France’s “historic commitment to the Christians of the Holy Land and its support for maintaining the status quo in the holy places of Jerusalem.”
A conversation focused on the reality of the Holy Land
After the meeting, the cardinal explained to ACI MENA that his conversations with Macron were “important and direct” and centered mainly on the human and social situation of the communities living in Israel and Palestine.
He reported that the French president showed particular interest in learning about the situation of Christians in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as the Church’s assessment of current events affecting the region.
Pizzaballa noted that the reality experienced by Christians cannot be separated from that suffered by the rest of the inhabitants of the Palestinian territories. “Palestinian Christians do not differ in their suffering from the rest of the Palestinians,” he stated.
Insecurity, economic crisis and lack of prospects
The Latin Patriarch described a landscape marked by the expansion of settlements, difficulties in accessing land and the persistence of settler attacks, all within a context that, he denounced, suffers from insufficient protection and security for the population.
These difficulties are compounded by an increasingly complicated economic situation. Years of conflict, reduced job opportunities and the paralysis of numerous projects have worsened the precariousness of many families.
This situation is prompting a growing number of Christians to consider emigration as their only possible way out, a trend that particularly concerns the local Church because of its consequences for the continuity of the Christian presence in the land where Christianity was born.
A call to Western Christians
In light of this scenario, Pizzaballa urged the international community and Western Christians to intensify their efforts to help families remain in their land.
The Patriarch stressed the need to create real opportunities for development, strengthen ties between communities and promote initiatives that allow Christians to maintain their roots in the Holy Land.
He explained that moral solidarity is not enough. Concrete actions are also needed to promote employment, stability and the future of new generations.
The Church as a “bridge of hope”
During his remarks, the cardinal insisted that the Church’s mission is to proclaim the truth, denounce injustices and constantly recall the dignity of every person.
“The Church tries to be a voice that reminds everyone of the humanity of the other,” he noted, stressing that pastoral work must be accompanied by a permanent commitment to justice and peace.
Pizzaballa acknowledged that violence has become a deeply rooted reality in the region after generations of conflict and warned that overcoming this dynamic will require time, especially in the absence of leaders capable of looking beyond current divisions.
Nevertheless, he assured that the Church will continue to work to be a “bridge of hope” in a land where trust is diminishing and fears are increasing every day.