‘Don’t Be Afraid’: Latin Patriarch Welcomes Pilgrims Back to Jerusalem

Jerusalem, January 21, 2025: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has urged Christians worldwide to return to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, emphasizing that their presence strengthens the local Christian community’s sense of belonging to the universal Church. Speaking in a video message from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, on January 20, Patriarch Pizzaballa highlighted the significance of the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, describing it as “a turning point” for the region. 

Joined by Fr. Francesco Patton, the Custos of the Holy Land, the Patriarch invited Christians to plan pilgrimages, assuring them of safety and extending gratitude for the global Church’s solidarity during challenging times. “The source and origin of hope is here at the Holy Sepulchre with Jesus, the Risen Lord,” he said, calling on believers to take courage and visit the land of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. 

Fr. Patton echoed this sentiment, standing in front of the Holy Sepulchre and expressing how pilgrimages reaffirm the bond between the small Christian community in the Holy Land and the global Catholic family. “Please, don’t fear,” he urged. “Don’t be afraid. Come!” 

The appeal comes as Jerusalem seeks to rebuild its spiritual and social fabric following recent unrest, with Church leaders encouraging Christians to renew their connection with the sacred sites and show their solidarity with the region’s Christian population.

Courtesy: Vatican News