Cardinal Pizzaballa Responds to Peace Agreement Between Israel and Hamas
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his support on Thursday for an agreement reached between the Israeli government and the militant group Hamas. This deal, facilitated by President Donald Trump, aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
President Trump shared on Wednesday night that the two sides have accepted the first part of a proposed 20-point peace plan. Under this plan, Hamas would free all hostages in exchange for an immediate cessation of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations in the Gaza Strip. This development comes just a day after the second anniversary of the tragic massacre on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed around 1,200 people in Israel, setting off the current war.
During the October 7 attacks, more than 200 individuals were taken hostage. Following various killings and exchanges, authorities currently believe that 47 hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than half reported to be alive.
Cardinal Pizzaballa, who has long advocated for peace, noted that he celebrated the momentous news of an agreement, mentioning that it might take considerable time and effort to finalize negotiations. Despite the challenges ahead, he urged all involved to acknowledge the progress made.
“This is good news, and we’re happy,” he stated through a message released by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Pizzaballa recognized that there would likely be more hurdles to overcome, but he emphasized the importance of celebrating this step forward.
“This moment brings a bit more faith in the future, a glimmer of hope for both Israeli and Palestinian communities,” he asserted, referring to the deal as “new and different.”
While it is clear there remains a long path to peace, full of complications, he highlighted that this agreement is a vital step toward building a climate of trust and even joy among families in both Israel and Gaza.
He expressed hope that this would mark the beginning of a new phase where thoughts could shift from conflict to rebuilding. An official statement from the Patriarchate acknowledged the efforts of all negotiators and invited Catholics to join a Day of Prayer for Peace on October 11.
As the senior leader of the Catholic Church in the region, Cardinal Pizzaballa has been deeply involved in supporting civilians affected by the conflict. His jurisdiction includes Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, alongside Jordan and Cyprus. Following the October 7 attacks, he had even offered to negotiate his own exchange for hostages.
“I’m willing to give anything if it means bringing my children home. I’m entirely committed,” he remarked at that time, emphasizing that securing the release of hostages was paramount to halting further violence.
In July, Pizzaballa visited Gaza City, where he prayed with victims of a bombing at the Holy Family Church, which had resulted in fatalities and damage.
In reaction to the bombing, Pope Leo XIV called for an “immediate cessation of the barbarism of this war and a peaceful resolution.” Similar to Cardinal Pizzaballa, Pope Leo voiced hope regarding Trump’s proposed deal, indicating that it appeared to be a pragmatic option.
The White House’s 20-point plan establishes a timeline for all hostages to be freed within 72 hours, generating anticipation that they may be released over the weekend. President Trump expressed a likelihood of visiting Israel to help finalize the deal.
According to the agreement, the release of all hostages would prompt Israel to free 250 life-sentenced prisoners and 1,700 Gazan detainees captured post-October 7. It also includes amnesty for future Hamas members who pursue peaceful coexistence. Looking ahead, the agreement proposes forming a Gaza Leadership Committee to eventually replace the current Hamas government with a more functional and representative authority.
