Jerusalem Cardinal Pizzaballa emerges as top papal candidate
The world is eagerly awaiting the selection of the new Pope, with the conclave set to begin in Rome on Wednesday. One of the top candidates to succeed the late Pope Francis is the Franciscan Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has served as the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020.
Cardinal Pizzaballa was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in September 2023, making him the first cardinal to live in the Jewish state. In a show of extraordinary courage and compassion, Pizzaballa declared that he would offer himself as a hostage to the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza in exchange for the release of children kidnapped by the radical Islamists. He expressed his willingness to do anything to bring those children back home, demonstrating his selflessness and dedication to the well-being of others.
Born in northern Italy in 1965, Pizzaballa fondly recalls his upbringing in the rustic village of Castel Liteggio. He speaks of a simple and genuine world that influenced his character, instilling in him a pursuit of sobriety and sincerity. His humility and empathy have earned him the respect and trust of all parties involved in the complex political landscape of the Holy Land.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has known Pizzaballa for over two decades, praises his intelligence, leadership, and deep understanding of the region’s complexities. Pizzaballa’s fluency in Hebrew has allowed him to communicate effectively with all parties involved, fostering trust and respect among Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians.
However, Pizzaballa’s support for a statement urging Israel to “avoid killing innocent people” during its campaign against Hamas in Gaza caused a rift with the Israeli government. The statement was seen as failing to condemn Hamas’s atrocities, prompting Pizzaballa to clarify his position and denounce the terrorist group’s actions as “unacceptable and incomprehensible barbarity.”
As the conclave prepares to select the next Pope, Cardinal Pizzaballa stands out as a compassionate and courageous leader, dedicated to promoting peace and justice in the Holy Land and beyond. His selfless actions and unwavering commitment to the well-being of others make him a strong contender for the papacy, with the potential to lead the world’s more than 1 billion Catholics with wisdom and compassion.
