The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzabella, shared with journalists on October 16 that he is willing to take the place of Israeli hostages — especially the children.
According to Catholic News Agency, Israel Defense Forces said that 199 Israeli hostages — including children — are being held by Hamas somewhere in Gaza. Members of Hamas have said they will kill one hostage every time that Israel’s military bombs civilian areas in Gaza. It has been reported that as Hamas first entered Israel, it killed numerous children in the village of Kfar Aza, beheading some of them.
In an online meeting with journalists on Monday, Cardinal Pizzabella shared his concern for the children being held hostage by Hamas. Asked if he would be willing to offer himself in exchange for the children, he said he is willing to do whatever it takes to “bring those children home.”
“Am I ready for an exchange? Anything, if that can lead to freedom and bring those children home, no problem. There is an absolute availability on my part,” the cardinal said.
He added, “We are willing to help, even me personally.”
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The Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, meanwhile, said on Friday that the chief concern of the Vatican is “the release of Israeli hostages and the protection of innocent lives in Gaza.” He said, “The Holy See is ready for any necessary mediation, as always.”
Cardinal Pizzabella referenced the Holy See’s offer of mediation, saying, “We have offered our readiness at least to try to bring the hostages back, at least some of them, this is being attempted. It is very difficult because, for mediation, you need to have interlocutors. And at this moment, it is not possible to talk to Hamas.”
Pizzabella has called for Tuesday, October 17, to be a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. He asked that Catholics organize times of prayer with Eucharistic adoration and recitation of the rosary.
He spoke of his specific areas of concern. “My concerns are essentially twofold: the first is, following the ground operation, I don’t know what it’s called, the much more severe humanitarian crisis that will be created. This is the first fear, as there will undoubtedly be many victims.” The other fear, he said, is “that this conflict becomes a regional conflict, involving not only Gaza or possibly the West Bank but also Lebanon, then the Islamic world could ignite, all the Arab countries: I don’t know, it’s very difficult to predict the developments, but the fear of regional expansion is real, and I’m not the only one saying it.”
Editor’s Note: Live Action News reached out to Cardinal Pizzabella for comment and will update this article with any further information.
