From Patriarch Fouad to Archbishop Pierbattista

In a brief meeting of the Patriarchate’s auxiliary bishops and vicars, some senior priests and the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem, Patriarch Fouad Twal signed over the diocese to Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Apostolic Administrator.

After an opening prayer, Patriarch Twal thanked all those who had collaborated with him over the past years and then Bishop Marcuzzo read the decree from Cardinal Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, naming Pizzaballa Apostolic Administrator. Cardinal Sandri's word to the new administrator was read by the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Lazarrotto. This was followed by a short address by Pizzaballa.

The meeting was followed by a fraternal lunch in the Patriarchate refectory.