After the death of Pope Francis, Christians in Gaza are ‘feel like orphan’ – BBC News in Serbian
« I bless you. Don’t be afraid, I’m with you. Be healthy and in faithful ».
These were the last words of Pope Francis to George Antonea, the Head of the Emergency Committee of the Catholic Church in Gaza, during their last telephone conversation about two weeks ago.
Pope of Franja, who suffered from pneumonia and was in the hospital for almost a month, passed away in the morning of 21. April from stroke and heart failure, Vatican said.
The daily phone calls of the late Pope believers of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza were the source of strength, says Antone for the BBC.
« The words Pope Francis wiped every fear of our hearts and instilled us a sense of security.
« We are sad today and feel like orphans, » he says.
Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, Pope FRANCE called on the only Catholic parish in the gaza band, talking directly with the Father Gabriel Romanella from the Church or with other members of the community.
Father Gabriel for the BBC says that with Pope Francis last spoke at Great Saturday, ahead of Easter.
« Pope Francis called us ahead of Easter, before the festive Mass last Saturday.
« He thanked us at the serve and at prayers for him, and gave us his blessing.
« He was sick, and the conversation didn’t last longer than a minute or two, » he recalled.
Father Gabriel adds that the news of Pope’s death « arrived suddenly and all of them sadly », especially because everyday conversations were straw salvation for this small Catholic community.
It is, as it says, because of the beginning of the war, we used to call us Franja every day to inquire about the situation in Gaza and to pray for us and peace « .
« The news arrived when the priests and I exchanged Cards of Easter in the Greek Orthodox Church (this year Catholic and Orthodox Easter fell on the same day).
« Of course, we were very sad because we lost the pope, but also a friend of this parish, who took care of us until the end. »
Watch the video: Christians in Gaza mour Papa Fraj
The priest said the last messages of Pope Francis were addressed to them in accordance with his appeal to Easter for peace in the world, and even for the end of the war in Gaza.
« Even last week, from the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, Pope FRANCE called the world to stop wars, especially the war in Gaza.
« He spoke about suffering in Gaza and called for justice and peace for the whole region.
« It was his last prayer, as if he sent the message to the world.
« I hope that world leaders will accept the salary of peace between Palestine and Israel, and the sake of all people in Gaza and the whole region. »
The last public appearance of Pope Franja was on Easter, when he went out on the balcony on St. Peter Square to greet the believers after Mass.
Despite poor health, he called back on fire in Gaza, describing the situation as « tragic and sad, » and appealed to Hamas to release the hostages.
Father Gabriel looked at the symbolism of the Pope’s death during Easter.
« Pope Franja died during Easter holidays, when a new life, resurrection of Christ from the dead is celebrated.
« It is a sign of hope and optimism, because he devoted his whole life to Christ and the Church.
« On the one hand, we are deeply grieving, but on the other hand we feel comforting, because after a long service that lasted 88 years, went to eternal life. »
Antone describes everyday papal calls.
« Pope Francis would usually invite the father of Gabriel on a cell phone at a time if the believers would be in the church.
« It would be about 450, and the Pope would address us over the speakers.
« He could see us via video calls, and we talked to him as a community, and the whole community would give a blessing, » he says.
Remember how personal calls these calls were.
« She always told us, ‘Don’t be afraid, I’m with you’.
« I would ask us, ‘What did you eat? Do you have enough food? Do you eat enough? How are your children? Do you have your health?
« Inquired for every aspect of our life ».
Anton, like many Christians in Gaza, describes Pope Francis as a « exceptional and historical father ».
Grief and concerns of Christians in Gaza
Christians of the Greek Orthodox and Catholic Communities, which there are no more than 1,100 with less than 0.05 percent of the total Gaza’s total population.
The death of Pope hit them all hard.
Musa Ajad, a displaced Christian who is currently in the church of St. Porfyria, says for the BBC service in Arabic that the news of the Pope’s death « hit like thunder ».
« We lost him, and it’s a big loss for us.
« He supported the people gaza whole with her heart and soul.
« Before his death, when we learned that she was sick, we prayed for his recovery, because he was a man of peace and love, » he adds.
« Although he was Catholic, he was the father of all Christian communities, » said Ayad.
« We can’t forget how she talked every day with the Catholic priest in Gaza to ask how, neither, nor how was the call for the fire in Gaza during the visit to each country ».
Filip Jahšan, a Christian and a journalist from Gaza, says that Pope Franja was a « truly ally » of the people gaza and that his death is a loss « for all of humanity, not only for Palestinians. »
« We remember how much he supported us.
« We remember being a real Melem.
« We remember his everyday calls.
« We remember his modesty as he addressed us in the days of siege, death, war, and hunger.
« It’s a big loss for us.
« He was God’s hand that acted, » he adds.
In addition to sadness, Christians in Gaza feel more and growing concern.
Ehab ejad, also displaced and currently located in the church of the Holy Family, says: « We don’t know who the new Pope will be.
« Will they take care of us like Pope Franja took care of the people of Gaza, or will we be forgotten?
« We feel great sadness, but we are worried about the future at the same time.
« Now we can only ask for Pope Franja rests in peace, » he says.
It is expected that the conclave soon will be together, which consists of 135 cardinals, for the election of a new pope.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis severely condemned Israeli military operations, saying that the humanitarian situation in Gaza « dangerous and shame ».
In December last year, after the Pope was sharply criticized by Israeli operations in Gaza, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the conversation of the Apostolic Nuny, Archbishop Adolf Tito Iljan.
Pope of Francis condemned the bombing of schools and hospitals, saying, « The children were bombed. This is barbarism, not war. »
After the publication of the death of Pope Francis, President of Isaus IsaSak Hercog is on the social network IX He wrote that he was a « a man of deep faith and limitless compassion », who « lived life with spiritual strengthening of poor and calling for peace in the restless world ».
« I sincerely hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for safe return of hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered, » he wrote.
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