Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, stated in an interview with Vatican News that Pope Francis has been continuously checking on the suffering people of Gaza, even while hospitalized in Rome due to pneumonia. Despite the challenging situation in Gaza, characterized by 15 months of violence, fear, and hunger, Francis has maintained regular contact with the parish, offering his blessings and support. This demonstrates his belief that those who experience suffering and inhabit the fringes of society reflect the true face of God. As a result, many individuals around the world are praying for the Pope’s quick recovery and his continuation of his mission to promote coexistence and confront global injustice. The Pope’s actions throughout the past decade, such as the Abu Dhabi Declaration signed in 2019, have consistently emphasized the importance of building a culture of mutual respect and addressing societal exclusions. However, the world has failed to heed the Pope’s warnings and learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in continued violence, nationalism, and intolerance. Francis’ commitment to promoting peace and solidarity has been evident through his message to Gaza, as well as his dangerous trips to conflict-ridden countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. Additionally, Francis condemns the hypocrisy of world powers who provide humanitarian aid but also supply weapons used in conflicts. The world is now in desperate need of the Pope’s leadership and message of peace, fraternity, and solidarity. Ultimately, the most pressing question is how humanity will treat its fellow human beings, with the choice between acknowledging equal dignity or treating individuals as non-persons based on race, culture, or religion.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/2/25/centring-the-voiceless-pope-franciss-enduring-global-impact?traffic_source=rss