Cardinal Pizzaballa of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza on the 22nd December. As ICN, (Independent Catholic News) reports: 

"His visit was eagerly awaited by the small Christian community who have taken refuge in the parish compound for more than 14 months. For one day the faithful were able to celebrate Christmas with their bishop in an atmosphere of serenity and joy.

This is the second time that Cardinal Pizzaballa has managed to enter Gaza and visit the parish led by Fr Gabriel Romanelli. He last visited on 16 May. To ensure maximum security, news of the visit was only given after his arrival in the community.

Cardinal Pizzaballa presided over the Mass, celebrated with white vestments in a foretaste of Christmas. During the Mass he also imparted the Sacrament of Confirmation to several young people.

In his homily, the Patriarch congratulated the resilience of the Christian community: "You are the light of our Church and Christmas is precisely the feast of Light," the Light that is Jesus, and "Jesus who, never forget, is also here with you." "We are proud of you," continued the Cardinal, "not because of anything in particular, but because you have remained what you are: Christians with Jesus". And again, "just as all the people of the world, not only Christians, are with you, so too you can give something to the world that looks at you, bringing the light of Christ to everyone with your example."

On Christmas Eve, the Patriarch will make his solemn entry into Bethlehem, where he will be welcomed by another suffering community and where he will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass in St Catherine's Church."

For the full story of Pizzaballa's visit to Gaza, please follow this link: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51366

Cardinal Pizzaballa also issued  his annual Christmas message which can be viewed  in its entirety on Youtube by following the link here.

Pizzaballa's Christmas message was also transcribed can also be read in its entirety by following the link here.