Jerusalem’s Orthodox and Catholic Churches demand end to war in Gaza

On July 22, 2025, a joint press conference was held in Jerusalem with Patriarch Theophilos III of the Orthodox Church and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa. The event, hosted at the Notre Dame Center, followed their recent pastoral and humanitarian visit to the Gaza Strip. The patriarchs called on the international community to end the war, release prisoners, and begin a true path toward peace and healing. The report was published by Orthodoxia News Agency.

Their appeal came after visiting Christian holy sites damaged by shelling and meeting with residents facing a deep humanitarian crisis.

“The mission of the Church in times of tragedy is to serve, to be present, to defend the sacred right to life, and to bear witness to the unquenchable light that darkness seeks to overcome. This is nothing less than the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself,” said Patriarch Theophilos.

He also addressed the international community:

“Silence in the face of suffering is a betrayal of conscience. To the people of Gaza we say: the Church and her pastors are with you. And to those in power, we remind you of the Lord’s commandment: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matt. 5:9).”

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa, also called for an immediate ceasefire:

“It is time to end this senselessness and war… Every delay in humanitarian aid is a matter of life and death.”

It was previously reported that the longstanding dispute between the Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem and Antioch over jurisdiction in Qatar has once again intensified following recent decisions of the Jerusalem Synod. On May 15, 2025, Patriarch Theophilos announced new appointments: Archbishop Makarios of Qatar was transferred to the Acre diocese, while Bishop Aristovoulos, formerly Archbishop of Madaba, was named the new Archbishop of Qatar. The move sparked a strong reaction from the Antiochian Orthodox Church.