On 7 November 2024, Professor Francesca Romana Stasolla presented the progress of the archaeological excavations that have been going on in the Holy Sepulchre for two years now. It is an ambitious and absolutely new study project. But it is also a project of restoration and adaptation to new requirements, which includes, among other things, securing the spaces of this extraordinary place. It should be completed in a few months. NEGIB NASSER Architect Project Manager We are now in the final phase of the excavations. We can well hope that after today's meeting with the leaders of the three communities we will move forward with the infrastructure and modernisation, on schedule. At the end of the work, as I said last year, the people will see a new tiling - and this is what everyone expects - of good quality and looking good. We will start tiling within the next month. And I think we will finish within six months from the start date of this last phase. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land From the time of the Crusaders to today, it is absolutely the most important restoration work that has been done. And by far the first comprehensive study from an archaeological point of view as well. In some ways it is also the most important experience there has been of cooperation between the three main communities: the Greek Orthodox community, the Armenian Apostolic community and the Latin community represented by the Friars of the Custody of the Holy Land. So there is an undoubted material value and there is a value I would say spiritual, even ecclesial, ecumenical. BISHOP KORYOUN BAGDHASARYAN Status Quo Officer for the Armenian Patriarchate The fact that restoration work is now underway in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre shows that there is unprecedented cooperation and unity between the three Christian communities, namely the Armenian Patriarchate, the Greek Patriarchate, and the Custody of the Holy Land. Without this cooperation and unity, the project in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre could never have been realized. ARCHBISHOP ISIDOROS Greek Orthodox Superior of the Holy Sepulchre This is the first church in the world. It is Christ's tomb and the place where Christ, Golgotha, was crucified. It was built for us. It would have been a shame not to renovate it and arrange the entire Holy Sepulchre to make it beautiful and pleasant for all the pilgrims who come to visit the holy places. Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land The Holy Sepulchre is the most important place for all Christians, because the Holy Sepulchre is the place of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of our faith and this is also the foundation of our hope. In six months, the work will be finished. This experience will have been incredible not only for the churches, but also for the young people who were part of the team led by Professor Stasolla. FILOMENA BISCEGLIE Archaeologist This is also a great opportunity for me on a professional level. It is the most I could ever aspire to because I am a Christian archaeologist, so it is like a dream that has been realized over the years. To be part of this project for me is a very important thing.