Pierbattista Pizzaballa addresses Holy Land challenges at Rimini Meeting

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed the Rimini Meeting to discuss the future of the Holy Land and the challenges of post-war reconstruction. He noted that while the ongoing war causes deep physical and psychological wounds, the loss of a sense of the ‘common good’ in the Middle East poses a significant threat to the region's future.

Pizzaballa observed that political life often appears driven solely by partisan interests rather than collective well-being. He emphasized that responsibility for peace cannot be delegated solely to governments, as politics also encompasses the quality of relationships within civil society and local communities.

Despite noting a weakness in local and international institutions to build bridges, the Patriarch expressed hope by pointing to individuals within both Israeli and Palestinian societies who continue to work toward engagement and responsibility.