Archbishop Pizzaballa enters Jerusalem

Before his entry, Archbishop Pizzaballa gave a press conference to a number of gathered journalists in the Convent of the Sisters of the Rosary in Mamilla. In this conference, he explained the meaning of the appointment of an apostolic administrator and stressed the vocation of dialogue for the Church of Jerusalem.

At 16.00, Archbishop Pizzaballa, surrounded by his vicars and the clergy, made his entrance into Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. Participating in the ceremony were Cardinal Edwin O’ Brien, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, and many of the Catholic and Orthodox Bishops.

The entry was followed by the celebration of solemn Vespers in the Patriarchate CoCathedral, attended by many of the priests, men and women religious and laity of the diocese. In the homily, Archbishop Pizzaballa called the Church of Jerusalem to come together as one, in all its diversity, and asked the faithful to continue to pray for him and his mission.

The Hebrew speaking communities were well represented by many priests, religious and faithful.

Read the homily of Archbishop Pizzaballa here