(LifeSiteNews) — The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has celebrated the newly announced ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
In an October 9 interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa welcomed the news of a ceasefire in Gaza as part of the first phase of a 20-point plan unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump last week.
“Finally, some good news after two years of torment for everyone,” he declared. “This is a time to rejoice.”
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza: “This is a time to rejoice.” pic.twitter.com/6nwjGJHGHx
— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) October 9, 2025
As of October 9, Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed to the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan, which includes the release of all hostages in Gaza and a partial Israeli military withdraw.
While Pizzaballa celebrated the agreement, he noted that “it may be too early to speak of peace.”
“For now, our duty is to work for the end of military hostilities and begin to elaborate a perspective not only for Gaza, but for the entire Palestinian people,” he declared.
“We know that the road ahead is still long. There will be many obstacles; it will not be easy,” Pizzaballa continued. “But it was a necessary first step that brings an atmosphere of trust and even a smile to many families, both in Israel and Palestine, and especially in Gaza.”
The Patriarch added that the next stage will involve rebuilding Gaza after the devastating effects of the past two years.
“We must help in rebuilding not only the structures, but also the human devastation this war has created,” he declared.
Pizzaballa also repeated Pope Leo XIV’s call to participate in the Day of Prayer for Peace on October 11. Pope Leo has urged Catholics to pray the Rosary daily in October for the intention of peace throughout the world.
Pizzaballa has become a Christian household name since the October 7, 2023, attacks against Israeli civilians by terror group Hamas. Appointed to the high-stress role in 2020 by Pope Francis, he has made a number of public statements decrying the Israeli military’s attacks on Palestinians while also offering himself in exchange for hostages and touring Gaza to minister to the Christians who live there.
The Latin Patriarch has repeatedly condemned the violence in Gaza and urged aid for locals weakened and malnourished due to Israel’s man-made famine.
Last month the death toll in Gaza passed 65,000, many of whom are civilians, including women and children. The United Nations recently designated some of Israel’s actions as constituting genocide.