Pope Francis says he calls Gaza Catholic church “every day”
Pope Francis revealed in an interview on US television programme 60 Minutes that he calls Gaza’s only Catholic church “every day” to check on the wellbeing of the parish amidst Israel’s bombings of the enclave, the New Arab and agencies.
Pope Francis said that he calls Gaza City’s Holy Family Church — where over 600 people are sheltering — every evening at 7pm to simply “[listen] to the priest,” noting that there is evidently “a lot of suffering.”
“They tell me about what happens there,” said Pope Francis. “It is very tough.”
He recalled the pontiff sharing with him how those sheltering had the rare luxury of getting to eat some meat, as they usually only eat “things made from flour the rest of the time.” Though some of the time they go hungry, he said.
The pontiff shared that “people rush quickly whenever food arrives,” due to the fact that basic needs in Gaza Strip have become scarce. When Israel seized Rafah Crossing — a vital checkpoint for aid deliveries — this became even more severe.
READ: Dozens evacuate from Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital following strikes
The Holy Family Church serves Gaza’s small Catholic community, consisting of roughly 1,000 civilians.
In December, Israeli snipers targeted the church — killing two Palestinian women, Nahida Anton and her daughter Samar, who were walking towards the annex bathroom.That same day, the Sisters of Mother Teresa convent was hit three times by Israeli artillery shells, consequently making the monastery uninhabitable.
The pontiff has publicly criticised Israel’s actions in the enclave. In January, he declared the killing of civilians as “a crime,” and had previously labelled the country’s actions as “terrorism.”
Pope Francis stressed the need for a ceasefire during Easter Sunday Mass in March.
The New Arab and agencies
