Pope Francis, known for his outreach and compassion, had cultivated a close relationship with the Christian community in Gaza, a territory grappling with war and humanitarian challenges. A video released by the Vatican showcased the Pope’s genuine affection for the community, many of whom he knew by name, offering a glimpse into his personal commitment to their well-being.

during the past 18 months of conflict, Pope Francis made it a practice to call the parishioners almost nightly to check on their safety and provide moral support. “As-salaam Alaikum” or “peace be upon you,” the Pope would say in Arabic, before switching to Italian to inquire about their daily lives, asking, “What did you eat today?” Father Gabriel Romanelli, a local priest, shared in the video, “The rest of the chicken from yesterday.”

The Christian population in Gaza is a small minority, numbering only a few hundred amidst a predominantly Muslim population of over two million. Many of these Christians have sought refuge and continue to worship at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. The Pope’s death has left them feeling especially vulnerable.

“He used to call us daily during the war, on the black days under the bombing – on the days when peopel were killed and injured,” Father Romanelli recounted. “Sometimes,we didn’t have a phone connection for hours,and the Pope,with all of his responsibilities,would try to reach us.”

George Anton, a local Catholic and the emergency coordinator at the Holy Family Church, described the shock he felt when he first spoke with the Pope. He eventually became a regular participant in the Pope’s video calls, sharing his personal losses, including his home and relatives.

“He was all the time blessing me, and he was totally understanding our situation, and he always encouraged us to be strong,” Anton said. “And he asked, ‘What can I do for you? What more can I do for you?'”

The Gazan Christians express a deep sense of loss, mourning the absence of a comforting and supportive figure. “We felt like ‘Oh my God,we’re like orphans now,'” mr. Anton lamented.

“Ther will be no calls from the Pope, we will not hear this voice. We will not hear his sense of humor. You know, pope Francis has a special relation with Gaza, and with every one of us.”

Pope Francis’s concern for peace in the region was evident throughout his papacy. During his visit to the Holy Land in 2014, he made an unscheduled stop in Bethlehem, were he prayed for peace at the graffiti-covered wall that separates Israel and the West Bank. His Easter message reiterated his plea for peace and a ceasefire in Gaza.

In his Easter message, delivered by an aide, Pope Francis stated, “The terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation.”

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted the Pope’s “moral clarity,” stating, “War is not just weapons.War is sometimes words.” He added, “Pope Francis recently, especially in the last year, has been very outspoken about the situation of the Holy Land, calling for the liberation of the hostages, but also condemning the dramatic situation, the ongoing war in Gaza, and the situation for Palestinians.”

The Pope’s stance on the conflict has drawn attention, with Israeli media reporting a muted response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Foreign Minister following the Pope’s death, in contrast to the condolences offered by President Isaac Herzog.

Late last year,Pope Francis voiced strong criticism regarding the situation in Gaza. In excerpts from an upcoming book, he wrote, “According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.”

Israel has firmly rejected allegations of genocide in gaza,asserting that its military actions are aimed at defeating Hamas. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as October 7, 2023, with women and children comprising a critically important portion of the casualties. (Note: These figures are based on reports from a Hamas-run health ministry and cannot be independently verified.)

As the Catholic Church prepares for a conclave to select Pope Francis’s successor, the world, including Palestinians and Israelis, will be closely watching to see how the next Pope addresses the complex and sensitive issues surrounding the israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Christians in Gaza hope the next Pope will advocate strongly for peace and justice.

“We hope that the next Pope will continue to support us and advocate for a lasting peace in the region,” Anton said.

Sources: BBC, Associated Press, reuters.