Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, led a pilgrimage of 160 faithful from all over Italy to the Holy Land. First stop was the Basilica of the Agony at Gethsemane, where they were welcomed by the custos of the Holy Land, Brother Francesco Patton, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. HB Card Pierbattista Pizzaballa Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins Gethsemane is the place of betrayal, but also the place where Jesus hands himself over. Where, in a certain sense, a new perspective of life is born. Especially in this context of great mistrust, the sign we receive here, and which I would like this group to understand as well, is that we need to give trust. Many journalists are present in this group. They are expressly asked to consider how negative and counterproductive is a communication that does not take into account the heroic efforts and the many religious and civil realities that daily try to mend human relationships and bonds of respect and friendship between different identities and sensitivities. The Italian pilgrims, in a short but intense time of only four days, split into different groups and met separately with many local realities. They expressed both Israeli society, such as the families of the hostages, and Palestinian society, such as volunteers and workers from Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Taybeh, and so on. HE Card Matteo Zuppi Archbishop of Bologna - President Italian Bishops' Conference There is a need for a love that already unites these two pains, and that avoids rankings - because, if mine necessarily goes against yours - it seemed to me to be a very important indication. Cardinal Zuppi visits the Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem, and on this occasion he talks with the parents of paediatric patients. An important visit to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus, with whom Cardinal Zuppi addresses crucial issues on the role of the churches in the current international geo-political scenario. HE Card Matteo Zuppi Archbishop of Bologna - President Italian Bishops' Conference Religions can have and must have great strength, they must be a great resource in the quest for peace. Not only must they never be used to generate violence or war. They must seek to be, by their very essence, a bridge for dialogue. Theophilus, undoubtedly, the Patriarch, is convinced of this. And appropriate answers must be found. We come too late, however, because unfortunately we have been watching too much. Religions must be present with their voices to point out possible ways to peace. And to help the way to peace. On several occasions, Zuppi invited the Italian dioceses to resume pilgrimages to the Holy Land without fear. Some movements and ecclesial realities, in fact, especially lay ones, have never stopped bringing their members here to the Holy Land despite the conflict. Today, Italian bishops are asked for a surplus of courage to show themselves as bearers of a faith that does not let itself be overcome by discouragement or fear. For Zuppi, this must also translate into a new political commitment on the part of Catholics. HE Card Matteo Zuppi Archbishop of Bologna - President Italian Bishops' Conference We have to dream big. We have a big dream that Pope Francis has set out in 'Brothers All', which is a big vision. We have terribly weakened the instruments that were intended with great foresight after the Second World War. And now we understand that the third world war is worldwide - because wars are worldwide. And the third one would really be the last, something that the survivors in the second one had very clear when they saw that horror. Let us try to understand, without having to measure ourselves with the horror again, that it is time to give ourselves rules and instruments. Irene Salieri Councillor for Human Rights Municipality of Mira (VE) They were all wonderful meetings, there is always the will on everyone's part to try to overcome this terrible situation. We met the UN official who explained to us what they are trying to do to help the population. We met with Daud's family, from the tent of nations, and listened to what they are doing to encourage encounters and solidarity, and the possibility of staying on this land so that life can be shared and good for more people. HE Mgr Giovanni Ricchiuti Bishop Emeritus of Altamura - President of Pax Christi Here peace is the fruit of justice, and justice means precisely recognising the rights of the person, and this is a warning to those who are responsible for the present and the future of humanity. It cannot continue on the road of the annihilation of rights.