Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
On Monday evening, the usual buzz of communication was noticeably absent for Father Gabriel Romanelli, whose cellphone typically rang promptly at 8 p.m. This call was a nightly check-in from Pope Francis, who reached out to the priest at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City during the ongoing conflict, inquiring about the wellbeing of those sheltered within Gaza’s sole Catholic church.
In a conversation with CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault on the same day, Romanelli shared that children in the church would eagerly gather around during these calls, cheering phrases like “The Pope! Viva Papa!” as they sought his blessings. This routine call had become a symbol of hope for the beleaguered community, marking the hour when they would hear from their “Santo Padre,” a term affectionately used for the Holy Father.
Upon the announcement of the Pope’s passing at age 88, the small Christian congregation in Gaza came together to mourn and pray in his memory.
IN PHOTOS | Christian Palestinians celebrate mass in honour of Pope Francis:
Pope’s Last Appeal for Peace
Pope Francis was not only a source of encouragement for Palestinian Christians through his daily calls but also vocal about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The violence escalated significantly following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of around 250 individuals. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have reportedly led to over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, as stated by Gaza Health Ministry officials.
In November 2023, the Pope met with Israeli families of hostages taken by Hamas and Palestinians who had relatives in Gaza. He later shared that he had learned about the suffering on both sides, which influenced his public messages concerning the war.
During his Easter message in 2024, Francis made a heartfelt plea for peace and humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinian people. He urged for an immediate ceasefire and called for the release of all hostages, reaffirming his commitment to the plight of those affected by the conflict.
In a later publication, Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Toward a Better World, authored by journalist Hernán Reyes Alcaide, the Pope even suggested an investigation into the potential classification of Israel’s military operations in Gaza as genocide.
WATCH | Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in final Easter address:
Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in Easter address
In his final address on Easter Sunday, Francis condemned the cyclical violence that characterized many regions of the world, including Gaza, and reaffirmed his call for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. Just the day before his death, he reiterated his concerns from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, expressing solidarity with the suffering of both Christians in Palestine and the broader populations of Israel and Palestine.
A strong proponent of interfaith dialogue, he also urged Hamas to release hostages and condemned rising antisemitism globally.
Calls of Compassion Amid Conflict
As the conflict intensified in 2023, Romanelli expressed surprise at receiving regular calls from the Vatican. However, a bond began to form between him and the Pope. Both hailing from Buenos Aires, they conversed in Spanish, allowing the Pope to check on the situation in Gaza and discuss the day-to-day realities faced by its residents.
Romanelli noted, “It was a singular expression of his love, his concern. A real concern for the good of all and a sign of the good shepherd.” For many, these calls represented a significant source of hope during dark and troubling times. Romanelli recounted that on particularly devastating days, the Pope would call multiple times, offering solace in the form of personal outreach.
While he wasn’t entirely sure what propelled the Pope to reach out nightly, Romanelli acknowledged the comfort it provided to him and his small congregation amidst the turmoil.
The last call Romanelli received was on Saturday, during which Pope Francis expressed gratitude in Arabic, thanking the priests for their unwavering service and prayers. “He told us, ‘Thank you — shukran — for your service, for your prayers,'” Romanelli recounted.
With the absence of the familiar call on Monday night, Romanelli found himself reflecting in the silence of the church office. “We are convinced that he is in heaven,” he expressed. “Now, we can call him at any time.”
Source
www.cbc.ca