The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visited Gaza last week for the first time since October 7. to deliver a "message of hope, solidarity, and support" to the Palestinians in the besieged strip.

The Patriarch "entered Gaza and arrived at the Holy Family Parish on a pastoral visit," according to the Patriarchate. "His Beatitude presided over Mass at the parish church and visited the Orthodox Parish of Saint Porphyrius."

In a video message, Cardinal Pizzaballa said: “It has been a long time since I had the desire to come and see them [the Christian community in Gaza], to meet them. Finally, I have this opportunity and I am very happy about it."

He explained that the purpose of the visit is "first of all to be with them, to embrace and support them, to verify their conditions, to try to understand what can be done to improve them, and to help them in every possible way".

The Patriarchate confirmed that the visit represents the first phase of a joint humanitarian mission to deliver life-saving food aid to the residents of Gaza.

Approximately 1,000 Christians live in Gaza, with the Latin Patriarchate's followers numbering 137, while the rest belong to the Orthodox community.

Gaza is home to some of the world's oldest churches, many of which have not been spared from the extensive destruction caused by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) aggression.

Out of 117 religious sites reportedly damaged or destroyed since October 7, three were churches: the Church of Saint Porphyrius, the Byzantine Church of Jabalia, and the Saint Hilarion Monastery.