Overview
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first cardinal to reside in Israel, has gained recognition for his leadership and diplomacy in the Middle East.
- His candidacy is shaped by his role as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020 and his elevation to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
- Pizzaballa’s bold offer to exchange himself for hostages during the 2023 Israel-Gaza war highlighted his commitment to peace and humanitarian values.
- Fluent in Hebrew and trusted by stakeholders in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan, he has built strong relationships in the region over decades.
- The papal conclave begins May 7, 2025, with Pizzaballa positioned as a top contender to lead the Catholic Church’s 1.3 billion members globally.