Overview

• Pope Francis, who passed away at age 88, maintained near-daily communication with Gaza’s Christians during the Israel-Hamas war, offering prayers and encouragement.
• Gaza’s Christian community, numbering about 1,000 people, is mourning his death, describing him as a source of hope and a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
• The pope condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, repeatedly called for a ceasefire, and urged the release of hostages held by Hamas.
• Memorial masses are being held in Gaza and Jerusalem, with regional church leaders praising Pope Francis’s moral leadership and advocacy for peace.
• Concerns grow among Gaza’s Christians about whether the next pope will continue Francis’s legacy of solidarity with Palestinians.