“We invite you not to be afraid, [we invite you] to come!" This was the appeal addressed to the pilgrims by the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate, Mons. Pizzaballa, together with the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton.
H.E. Mons. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm
Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
"These past days, the media showed images of violence and division in Jerusalem which were unfortunately broadcast to the world. This has greatly frightened the pilgrims who had planned to make a pilgrimage, who had planned“to come up here to Jerusalem" as they say.
Father Custos and I thought it would be a good idea to tell all of you, pilgrims, to tell all those who have Jerusalem in their hearts, that the pilgrimage to the Holy Land is safe and that the images and the news that you have seen on television do not tell the truth about the beauty, the tranquility and the serenity that, on the contrary, depicts Jerusalem.
We therefore invite you to reconsider your pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to make this wonderful experience of faith [and to embrace]this important and marvelous form of solidarity with the Christian community of the Holy Land."
Fr. FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm
Custos of the Holy Land
"We invite you to come [to the Holy Land], we invite you to confirm your pilgrimage with the spirit of those who wish, through the pilgrimage, to trust God.
It is safe to come to the Holy Land, we live here, we are aware of the daily life of this land, the pilgrims are respected and loved and there are no problems or dangers for the pilgrims [here].
Moreover, through the pilgrimage, which is a gesture of faith, you will be encouraging and supporting the small Christian community that lives here in the Holy Land.
Therefore, we invite you not to be afraid, and to come to the Holy Land, to be pilgrims in these places where Jesus was born for us, as we will celebrate Christmas in a few days, [in] the places where Jesus gave us his life."
