Jerusalem has a new Latin Patriarch: it is Monsignor Pierbattista Pizzaballa, former Custos of the Holy Land from 2004 to 2016 and since then Apostolic Administrator of the same Patriarchate. The appointment, announced in recent days by Pope Francis, is therefore made in the sign of continuity: "When I thought that my mandate in Jerusalem was over - explains in fact Monsignor Pizzaballa in a letter sent to the Diocese - I was asked to "stay". The last four years are years that the new Patriarch defines "of recovery, of gathering, of intense commitment, not always easy, sometimes tiring, in which we tried together to solve some problems of the Diocese so that His testimony and His mission could be made more agile and transparent." "But - he adds - I have experienced that we also have the resources, the desire and the strength to look ahead with confidence, capable of living the ambiguity of this time with Christian hope". Immediate certificates of esteem from the Custody of the Holy Land: "The wish - writes Br. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, to the new Patriarch - is that you may continue the work undertaken in the service of this particular Church, unique of its kind because it is the "Mother Church". All of us, your confreres, will be close to you in prayer and available to collaborate for the good of the Church". The appointment was published on the eve of the Feast of Mary, Our Lady of Palestine, established 100 years ago. The celebrations, presided over by the Patriarchal Vicar Monsignor Giacinto Marcuzzo, were held in the traditional way in the village of Deir Rafat even though due to the anti-Coronavirus restrictions only a few faithful were able to participate, and ended with the procession of the statue of Our Lady. HE Mgr GIACINTO BOULOS MARCUZZO Vicar Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem "There is a double occasion that gathers us today here at Deir Rafat, in the sanctuary of Our Lady Queen of Palestine; first of all the celebration. In 1920, Patriarch Barlassina consecrated the Diocese of Jerusalem to the immaculate heart of Mary under the title of "Queen of Palestine" Second: on the eve of this feast, we had the announcement of the nomination as new patriarch of Bishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa. It is a good news that rejoices us and that allows us to give thanks to the Lord for the feast and for this nomination." Fr IBRAHIM SHOMALI Chancellor Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem "We see in this the Providence, we want to entrust ourselves to Her. Giving us a Patriarch in this centenary, in this difficult situation, means that the Lord never leaves us, Our Lady will protect us and the living stones, the Christian communities, will remain forever to witness Jesus Christ in His Land." Read More