'He felt our pain' : Berthan McKernan and Malak Tantesh / The Guardian

Article shared by Tom McDermott

Every evening at 7 p.m., the phone rang at Holy Family Church in Gaza City. On the line—night after night for more than 18 months—was Pope Francis, checking in, asking how people were holding up amid the grief and destruction. It wasn’t a publicity gesture; it was pastoral, deeply personal. This was Francis: not just observing the suffering from afar, but walking alongside it—Muslim and Christian alike. His was a papacy of presence.

This personal touch defined Francis' papacy. This willingness to reach out to those in the margins, to the poor, the migrants, the prisoners, to those caught in the crossfire of war -  this sense sharing, of personal compassion, is sorely missing among our leaders today. 

Gaza will miss Francis and so will many of us.
Tom

Click here for the article on NPR
Click here for the article in the Guardian

Summary:
Many in Gaza are mourning the death of Pope Francis. During the 18 months of war following the October 2023 attack the Christian minority in Gaza faced severe hardships. Pope Francis provided comfort and solidarity by calling the Holy Family Catholic church nightly for over a year and a half, personally speaking with parishioners and showing deep concern for their wellbeing. Despite being ill and hospitalized towards the end, he continued this routine, becoming a cherished spiritual figure to many. Francis used his last public address on Easter Sunday to condemn the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and advocate for peace. He previously recognized the State of Palestine in 2015 and consistently criticized Israel's military actions during the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and support for civilians. The Vatican continues to aid the Gaza church, which shelters around 500 Muslims and Christians displaced from their homes.

Quotes:
"He used to call us at 7 p.m. every night. No matter how busy he was, no matter where he was, he always called. "He would ask us how we were, what did we eat, did we have clean water, was anyone injured? It was never diplomatic or a matter of obligation. It was the questions a father would ask."
“We spoke about everything. He got to know all of us … Despite everything on his shoulders in this world he cared about us in Gaza. It feels like we have lost our father.” — George Antone, Gaza parishioner
“Even after he was hospitalised, he continued calling to check on us ... .” — Father Gabriel Romanelli, Holy Family parish priest
“He told us not to be afraid ... ‘I am with you and I ... .’” — Bahia Ayad, 80, Gaza congregant
“His last statement, which he ... … It made us feel that there are ... .” — Bahia Ayad