“Give us power”: Christians in Gaza remember calls with Pope Francis Israeli conflict news

Gaza City, Palestine – Kamal Anton, 72, Pope Francis It was the source of comfort and support.

Kamal had to shelter since the beginning of the war at the same time Catholic Church Complex In Gaza City – the Church of the Holy Family – The wife and her daughter They shot Israeli snipers.

This was in December 2023, two months after the start of the Israel war. Anton and more than two million Palestinians in Gaza often felt in 18 months of conflict, with more than 50,000 Palestinians, with hope to end the war yet.

But the late Pope, who He died at the age of 88 in the Vatican city on Monday After a battle with the disease, he was in constant contact with the Christian community in Gaza. Before his illness, he made calls every evening with that shelter in the church, and he continued to communicate, on a less regular basis, even after his illness.

Kamal remembers his latest invitation on Saturday, just two days before his death. Pope Francis was the greeting of the church members for Easter.

Kamal said: “During his call, he prayed for peace and flexibility for us in Gaza.” “He never forgot the word” peace “in any of his calls with us throughout the war. His support included all of us – Christians and Muslims alike. He prayed daily for our safety.”

Palestinian defender

The deep sense of sadness and sadness permeates the Church of the Holy Family, where about 550 Palestinian Christians continue to search for shelter.

Israel attacked the church and its neighboring school several times during the war, including the July 2024 attack in which four people were killed. Another church was also bombed, which is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porvirius.

But the Holy Family Church is still a shelter. People gather inside the church every day, accompanied by piano music during prayer, and people revive Father Gabriel Romanti. He is the priest of the parish, and he came to Gaza to lead the church 15 years ago.

After the death of the Pope, those in the church largely wear black and mourning.

The loss of the leader of their church was an official event, but Palestinian Christians knew that they also lost one of the greatest defenders – a global leader who has long supported the Palestinian cause, and obtained Israel’s anger on a number of occasions to defend the Palestinians.

In his last year, which he delivered on Easter, Francis called for peace in Gaza and urged the warring aspects to “agree to the ceasefire, release the hostages, and provide assistance to people who shine for a peaceful future.”

Father Romani told Al -Jazeera that the loss of Pope Francis was a tragedy of Christians all over the world, especially in Gaza.

Remember that the phone call on Saturday with the Pope.

Romanlli said: “He said that he was praying for us and supporting us and thanked us for our prayers.” “People in the church waited for his invitation daily. He was talking to the children and reassuring them. He was an incredibly deep and supportive person, especially during the war.”

disaster

Kamal pointed out that the support provided by Pope Francis was also financially, in the form of helping its arrival in Gaza until Israel prevented all the entry of goods to Gaza in March, before it was shattered by one side the ceasefire.

“Everyone in Gaza knows the amount of support for us.” “We have always participated in that aid with our Muslim neighbors as well.”

The 74 -year -old Palestinian Christian, Maher Terzi, in Haddad.

Maher, who was displaced since the first week of the war, was just sat in the mourning hall when he spoke to the island.

“He gave us strength,” Maher said. “He told us not to be afraid, and that he was with us and will never abandon us, regardless of what.”

Maher added: “We encouraged us to stick to our land, and promised to help us rebuild our destroyed homes.” “His death is a disaster and a shock to us during this difficult time.”