Latin Patriarch of Jeru-salem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, said that Pope Francis is known by the children of Holy Family Church in Gaza as “the grandfather.”
During a Dec. 6 press conference organized by Aid to the Church in Need International, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem told journalists “the pope is calling every day at 7 p.m.” “It became a kind of status quo,” Pizzaballa said with a laugh. “Maybe half a minute, 30 seconds, maybe more, maybe less. And now he became the grandfather of the children, the pope, because he’s talking. They now know that he is calling.” For the community of Gaza it is a very big support – psychological, emotional, and spiritual,” he added.
This Christmas, in spite of the war and poor conditions, Pizzaballa said Holy Family Church in Gaza is preparing something special. “Christmas is the feast of the children,” he said. “What we will try and do, if we are able, is to introduce not just food but also some toys. Something that will make a difference to the everyday life for children.”