Jerusalem – Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has held the position of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, is being considered as a leading candidate to succeed the late Pope Francis. The conclave is set to choose the new Pope for the over 1 billion Catholics worldwide on Wednesday.
Pope Francis appointed Pizzaballa as a cardinal in September 2023. The following month, Hamas launched an attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people and left over 250 hostages. In a notable response, Pizzaballa expressed willingness to be taken hostage by Hamas in exchange for the release of children taken by the group.
Pizzaballa, the first cardinal to reside in Israel, remarked in an online meeting, “What if you’re ready to exchange? If something is free to connect and you can bring those kids home, then it’s fine.”
Born in northern Italy in 1965, Pizzaballa reflects fondly on his rural upbringing in Castel Liteggio. He recalled the simplicity of country life, the joy of playing in the fields, and how those experiences have shaped his understanding of life.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has known Pizzaballa since the early 2000s, praised him for his articulate Hebrew and deep understanding of the complexities in the region. Herzog described him as a respected figure, appreciated by all parties in the area.
However, Pizzaballa also found himself in a difficult position amidst the ongoing tensions. He issued a statement calling for Israel to avoid harm to innocent people, which some Israeli officials felt did not adequately condemn the Hamas attacks. Pizzaballa later reiterated his stance, labeling the Hamas assault as “unacceptable” and “incomprehensible.”
