Gaza Metropolis, Palestine – For 72-year-old Kamal Anton, Pope Francis was a supply of consolation and assist.
Kamal has needed to shelter for the reason that begin of the struggle in the identical Catholic church compound in Gaza Metropolis – the Holy Household Church – that his wife and daughter had been shot and killed by an Israeli sniper in.
That was in December 2023, two months after the beginning of Israel’s struggle. Anton and the greater than two million Palestinians in Gaza have typically felt deserted within the 18 months of battle, during which greater than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, with hope of an finish to the struggle nonetheless feeling distant.
However the late pope, who died aged 88 in the Vatican City on Monday after a battle with sickness, was in fixed contact with Gaza’s small Christian neighborhood. Earlier than his sickness, he held calls each night with these sheltering on the church, and continued to achieve out, on a much less common foundation, even after he fell in poor health.
Kamal remembered his most up-to-date name on Saturday, simply two days earlier than his demise. Pope Francis was greeting the members of the church for Easter.
“Throughout his name, he prayed for peace and resilience for us in Gaza,” Kamal mentioned. “He by no means forgot the phrase ‘peace’ in any of his calls with us all through the struggle. His assist included all of us – Christians and Muslims alike. He prayed day by day for our security.”
Palestinian defender
A deep sense of grief and sorrow permeates the Holy Household Church, the place roughly 550 displaced Palestinian Christians proceed to hunt shelter.
Israel has attacked the church and its neighbouring college a number of occasions throughout the struggle, together with a July 2024 assault during which 4 folks had been killed. One other church, St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church, has additionally been bombed.
However the Holy Household Church continues to be a refuge. Folks collect contained in the church every single day, piano music accompanies hymns throughout prayer, and folks greet Father Gabriel Romanelli. He’s the parish priest, an Argentinian who got here to Gaza to guide the church 15 years in the past.
After the demise of the pope, these within the church have largely wearing black, the color of mourning.
The lack of the chief of their church was a solemn sufficient occasion, however Palestinian Christians know they’ve additionally misplaced considered one of their best defenders – a world chief who has lengthy backed the Palestinian trigger, and has earned the anger of Israel on quite a lot of events for his defence of Palestinians.
In his last public speech delivered on his behalf on Easter, Francis known as for peace in Gaza and urged the warring sides to “conform to a ceasefire, launch the hostages, and supply help to a ravenous folks eager for a peaceable future”.
Father Romanelli instructed Al Jazeera that the lack of Pope Francis was a tragedy for Christians all over the world, and significantly in Gaza.
He recalled that Saturday cellphone name with the pope.
“He mentioned he was praying for us, supporting us, and thanked us for our prayers,” Romanelli mentioned. “Folks on the church waited for his name day by day. He would converse to the youngsters and reassure them. He was deeply human and extremely supportive, particularly throughout the struggle.”
Disaster
Kamal famous that assist from Pope Francis was additionally materials, within the type of help arriving in Gaza till Israel blocked all entry of products into Gaza in March, simply earlier than it unilaterally broke a ceasefire.
“Everybody in Gaza is aware of how a lot the Vatican supported us,” Kamal mentioned. “We at all times shared that help with our Muslim neighbours too.”
Kamal’s fellow Palestinian Christian, 74-year-old Maher Terzi, can also be in mourning.
Maher, who has been displaced for the reason that first week of the struggle, had simply sat within the mourning corridor when he spoke to Al Jazeera.
“He gave us energy,” Maher mentioned. “He instructed us to not be afraid, that he was with us and would by no means abandon us, it doesn’t matter what.”
“He inspired us to carry on to our land, and promised to assist us rebuild our destroyed houses,” Maher added. “His demise is a disaster and a shock for us throughout such a tough time.”
