Gaza Christians reveal Pope called them every evening

Members of Gaza’s small Christian community have said they are heartbroken” over the death of Pope Francis, who had called them every evening during the war.

- JABED AHMED

The pope was an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and used his final appearance to call for an immediate ceasefire to the “deplorable” conflict.

George Antone, 44, head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, said: “We lost a saint who taught us every day how to be brave, how to keep patient and stay strong. We lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his.”

Francis called the only Catholic church in the strip hours after the war in Gaza began in October 2023, Mr Antone said. It marked the start of what the Vatican News Service would describe as a nightly routine.

He said Francis would make sure to speak not only to the priest but to everyone else in the room.

“We are heartbroken because of the death of Pope Francis, but we know that he is leaving behind a church that cares for us and that knows us by name, every single one of us,” Mr Antone added. “He used to tell each one: I am with you, don’t be afraid.”

The pastor of the Holy Family parish, Reverend Gabriel Romanelli, told the Vatican News Service that Francis phoned a final time on Saturday night.

Palestinian writer and poet Mosab Abu Toha mourned the pope’s death, adding he was a “real man of peace”.