The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pier Battista Pizzaballa said January 10^th that the Church can improve in its actions regarding issues of “integrity in an integral approach to the region.”

The cardinal also revealed that he visited Gaza a few days earlier. “A few days ago, I visited Gaza and celebrated Christmas in the Church of the Holy Family with priests, nuns and the faithful who show patience. Let us not forget them in our prayers today,” he said during a press conference proceeding the inauguration of the Baptismal church on the east bank of the Jordan River.

The leader of the Latin Church in Jordan, Palestine and Cyprus was responding to a question from the reporter of Milhilard.org regarding the need for more transparency in the Latin Patriarchate. 

Below is the video text of the questions and answer as well as the statement by Cardinal Pizzaballa:

Milhilard reporter A. Jadallah: Pope Francis called for more transparency in the church, and there are calls for the Latin patriarchate to be more transparent on issues of finances, land sales, and moral issues. Do you support a more transparent Latin Patriarchate role?

Cardinal Pizzaballa: “I think the Latin Patriarchate has been one of the institutions that has been very clear about all what were doing about what we call integrating  the life of all the people here in this region. The Latin Patriarchate is the only church institution present in Gaza working effectively in Gaza with providing supplies and support to the school and everything, So we follow the direction of Pope Francis and these of course, everything could be improved but the Patriarchate is directly involved in all these what we call integrity and integral approach to the region.”

The press conference followed a public statement the text of which has been published in the Latin Patriarchate official website:

Address by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzablla,
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, at the press conference before the inauguration ceremony, January 10, 2025

Your Excellency, Mrs. Lina Innab Minister of Tourism in Jordan

Brothers, sisters and friends everywhere,

You, who have come from Jordan, but also from Arab and friendly countries, are most welcome!

It is our great pleasure to celebrate with you today the silver jubilee of the annual pilgrimage to the Site of Baptism (Al-Maghtas). This jubilee coincides with th celebrations of the Universal Catholic Church on the occasion of the 2025th anniversary of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Jubilee and its motto “Pilgrims of Hope” prompt us to always be optimistic about the hope, goodness and grace that Almighty God bestows on His people in this Holy Land. Jordan is always a holy land. It is considered the land of the Lord Jesus Christ, the land of John the Baptist, the land of the prophets and the land of the Decapolis.

Over the course of a quarter of a century, three pilgrims full of hope have made the pilgrimage to this corner of the world, namely Pope John Paul II in 2000, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and Pope Francis in 2014. In 2009, we had the joy of laying the foundation stone for the Church of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in this area in the presence of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah.

We are proud to come together today after years of waiting and daily work to inaugurate this church. I hereby express my appreciation to Mr. Nadim Al-Mu’asher, the architect and builder of this church, for his efforts. He has devoted all his skills, time, effort and money to make this project a success.

We dedicate this church first and foremost to Jordanian citizens and secondly to the people of the Arab region who make pilgrimages to Jordan as we reach out to friendly countries and say, “Welcome to Jordan. Come and do not be afraid. Jordan is a safe and stable country.”

We lift up our prayers for the restoration of security and ceasefire in Gaza and the rest of Palestine, and for a radical solution to the Palestinian cause, God willing. We also pray for Lebanon with its new president, for Syria, Sudan and for all the countries of the world that are still striving for reconciliation and peace.

A few days ago, I visited Gaza and celebrated Christmas in the Church of the Holy Family with priests, nuns and the faithful who show patience. Let us not forget them in our prayers today.

This morning, we welcome the guest from Jordan representing His Holiness Pope Francis, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin. We thank him for celebrating Holy Mass, which will take place shortly and in which we rejoice at the dedication of the baptistery.

Our thanks go to all those who have contributed to the success of this day and to the realization of this event. May the Lord grant peace and tranquility to the region so that we may see groups of pilgrims returning to Jordan, making pilgrimage to the holy waters and seeking blessing in this church which will be added to the historical and religious landmarks of the world.

Many thanks also go to the Board of Trustees of the Baptism Site, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi ibn Muhammad, and appreciation is also extended to the local administration. May the cooperation between the civil and religious authorities continue to support religious tourism to the beloved Jordan, the Holy Land.