Te Deum mass in Holy Sepulcher

The mass, celebrated by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, was concelebrated by the Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. Notably present was the newly ordained Archbishop of Tunis Ilario Antoniazzi, who concelebrated with the other Ordinaries. Also present was the new Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian.

Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, gave the homily in which he recalled the dramatic moments of the past few weeks, saying that we all felt in a tangible way that the Holy Spirit is indeed guiding the Church. He underlined two major elements in Pope Francis's first addresses to the Church. Firstly, by taking the name Francis he was underlining that we must be a poor Church for the poor. Secondly, he stressed that we are on a journey together. Both elements necessitate a constant reflection on Christ, poor and crucified, in whose light we can see our way.

At the end the beautiful mass and after the singing of the Te Deum, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto added a third element by stressing that he best way we can support the Holy Father and show our love for him is by praying for him.