Bishop Marcuzzo: the Pope's words 'awaken attention' to the suffering in the Holy Land

The former Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem underlines the pontiff's words that rekindle "peace and hope" in people's hearts. And they remind political leaders that "a solution is possible". Positive signs from the resumption of pilgrimages after Covid, with Indonesians among the top arrivals.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - The words pronounced by Pope Francis at the Angelus are fundamental for "awakening attention" to the suffering in the Holy Land. This is what former Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem of the Latins Monsignor Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, who still lives in the holy city and is active in pastoral work, stressed to AsiaNews, commenting on the message launched yesterday by the pontiff.

"The Pope and Patriarch Pizzaballa," continued the prelate, "have spoken many times of peace and hope, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears. His intervention serves to ensure that the issue is not forgotten, to rekindle peace and hope in the hearts of the people, to remind everyone that a solution is possible'.

The pope made a heartfelt appeal against violence that 'kills the future', breaks 'the lives of young people' and weakens 'hopes for peace', at a controversial and delicate time in the region's life.

The conflicts and tensions that rock the Holy Land and the Middle East are heightened by formation of the next Israeli government - the most right-wing ever in the country's history - which risks annihilating any prospect of a solution based on dialogue with the Palestinians. In the meantime, from Jerusalem to the West Bank, attacks and killings are multiplying which, echoing the pope's appeal, drown that "mutual trust" without which there will never be peace. 

The former vicar of Jerusalem says the message is "beautiful for the future, in a future perspective" and in the tone "of this first week of Advent".  He continues, 'there is an email circulating among the Churches in the Middle East, that speaks of the pope like the fourth candle that stays lit and gives light to those that are extinguished. He is the candle of patience and hope' at a time when 'no one seems willing to listen'. 

Another concern is the formation of the next Israeli government, with - according to the latest information at least - ministers who are openly "against a solution" to the Palestinian question and stubbornly opposed "even to dialogue".

The prelate warns of a risk "of a wall against a wall, there is no prospect of confrontation and there is a strong fear that the candle of hope will also be killed". In these hours Hamas calls the Palestinian people to resistance in the face of an Israeli "official attack" on al-Aqsa. Words that follow the proclamations of the ultra-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir who wants to change the status quo of the mosque. 

From Jerusalem to Jenin and Nablus in recent weeks the news has reported attacks, violence, which feed "the fears of a new intifada," says Msgr. Marcuzzo. 'Every two weeks,' he continues, 'we see a new colony springing up in the Palestinian territories, the inhabitants feel provoked and abandoned, no one helps them. They would like to react and let the world know that there is still an unresolved problem' that is a source of tension, but few seem really 'interested' in tackling it, at least by opening new channels of 'dialogue'. 

In a reality with gloomy hues, after almost three years of closures and blockades imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are signs of recovery on the pilgrimage front. "For us, it is a source of consolation," he emphasises, "the mass arrival of pilgrims in November, a month in which in the past there were no large influxes. The outlook for December is also positive. Today people wait up to two hours in line to enter the Holy Sepulchre, the Basilica of the Nativity. And if from Italy, and Europe in general, arrivals are still below the average of the past, there is a consistent upturn from the United States and Asia, especially Indonesia which is the leading nation at this stage, followed by groups from Japan and Vietnam'.

"Let us prepare for Christmas," Mgr Marcuzzo concludes, "let us not lose hope in peace, in justice, and like the prophet Isaiah in today's reading, let us wish peace, reconciliation, happiness for those left behind in Jerusalem".