Mission of Solidarity and Hope

Nov. 1, 2025

K of C and CNEWA leaders visit the Holy Land to support communities affected by war

By Columbia staff

Nov. 1, 2025

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and members of the Knights of Columbus/CNEWA delegation visit Holy Family Children’s Home in Bethlehem. (Photo by Joseph Saadeh)

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore were part of a delegation of Catholic leaders who traveled to Jerusalem, the Palestinian West Bank and Israel from Sept. 2-6, in an expression of solidarity with Catholics and all those suffering from the effects of the Israel-Hamas war.

Along with Supreme Secretary John Marrella, they joined Msgr. Peter Vaccari, president of Catholic Near East Welfare Association–Pontifical Mission, and other CNEWA representatives.

“The time of this pilgrimage was chosen precisely because there is need here in the Holy Land for people to come from elsewhere to show that they care, to show that we are in solidarity, that we want to learn and understand, and also that we want to help,” said Archbishop Lori, who also serves as vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Supreme Knight Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori meet in Jerusalem with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. (Photo by George Jaraiseh)

The voyage coincided with the Jubilee Year 2025, which bears the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” It included meetings with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem; Father Francesco Ielpo, OFM, custos of the Holy Land; and Josef Blotz, grand hospitaller of the Order of Malta. The delegates also participated in liturgies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

“For us, it’s a mission of hope and of solidarity with those who are suffering,” said Supreme Knight Kelly during the visit. “I think it’s especially poignant that we’re here in the Jubilee Year of Hope.”

A REGION IN CRISIS

The most recent wave of conflict in the Holy Land began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants, operating out of Gaza, attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking 250 hostages. Israel responded with airstrikes, artillery bombardments and armed incursions into Gaza.

As of Sept. 4, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 64,000 people had been killed, estimating that half were women and children. Food shortages, lack of medical care, and widespread displacement have also resulted from the Israeli offensive.

Just a week before the Supreme Officers’ visit, on Aug. 26, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli government’s stated intention to occupy Gaza City and evacuate residents.

“We can only repeat what we have already said: There can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge,” the patriarchs wrote.

The following day, Pope Leo XIV echoed these sentiments after his Wednesday general audience.

“I implore that all the hostages be freed, that a permanent ceasefire be reached, that the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and that humanitarian law be fully respected — especially the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions of collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of the population,” the pope said.

Archbishop Lori celebrates Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Msgr. Peter Vaccari (left), president of CNEWA, concelebrated the liturgy. (Photo by Joseph Saadeh)

Sharing the concerns of the global Church, the K of C/CNEWA delegation came bearing “a message of solidarity and hope to those who are suffering and in need in the great humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip,” said Archbishop Lori.

“We all come together — CNEWA, the Knights of Columbus, the bishops’ conference; we are, you might say, united in hope, but also united in charity.”

In connection with the visit, the Supreme Council made a $250,000 donation in support of CNEWA’s charitable efforts in the region, building on the Order’s longstanding partnership with the organization. The funds will assist the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and support a variety of humanitarian efforts: serving those in Gaza suffering from the war, providing food and medical care in Lebanon, and supporting charitable and pastoral initiatives in Jordan and Syria.

‘THE FACE OF CHRIST’

The delegation also visited several Christian communities in need, including Bethlehem’s Piccirillo Handicraft Center, where artisans with special needs craft products from olivewood; the St. Nicholas Home in Beit Jala, a predominantly Palestinian Christian town in the West Bank, where they met with elderly and infirm residents; and the Latin Patriarchate Seminary, also in Beit Jala.

The supreme knight and supreme chaplain stand with a worker at the Piccirillo Handicraft Center in Bethlehem. — The supreme knight and supreme chaplain stand with a worker at the Piccirillo Handicraft Center in Bethlehem, where artisans with special needs craft olivewood products. (Photo by George Jaraiseh)

Despite the conflict wracking the region, these Christian communities continue to be a sign of hope, Archbishop Lori said.

“Even in this time of struggle, when there is so much deprivation, so much injustice, so many challenges just to be the Church in this land made holy — there are heroic people doing tremendously important and beautiful ministries, and my admiration for them knows no bounds,” the supreme chaplain said.

At the Holy Family Children’s Home in Bethlehem — a refuge for abandoned orphans operated by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul — the supreme knight and supreme chaplain stopped to cradle some of the home’s infant residents during their tour of the facility.

“That mission of care really touched our hearts,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “I think that’s one of the ways the Knights of Columbus can assist here — helping these courageous sisters who are doing that wonderful work. … Since our founding, we have assisted the vulnerable. Our hope [has been] to explore some of the areas where the Knights of Columbus can help.”

Supreme Secretary John Marrella kneels before the altar of the Grotto of the Annunciation in Nazareth. — Supreme Secretary John Marrella kneels before the altar of the Grotto of the Annunciation in Nazareth — the site where the Angel Gabriel is believed to have appeared to the Virgin Mary. (Photo by George Jaraiseh)

During the recording of an episode of Connections with Msgr. Peter, CNEWA’s video podcast hosted by Msgr. Vaccari, Supreme Secretary Marrella reflected on the connection between the charity displayed by Christian communities and the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

“What has impressed me is how you and your staff are the presence of Christ,” the supreme secretary told Msgr. Vaccari. “You’re carrying that [presence] — along with the Daughters of Charity and other religious orders that we visited. They are the face of Christ here.”

PEACE ON THE HORIZON

On Sept. 24, Pope Leo XIV further expressed his concern for the region by calling all Catholics to pray the rosary daily for peace during the month of October. The request, made at a general audience, came the day after the Holy Father’s conversation with the pastor of Holy Family Church in Gaza City.

The Knights of Columbus responded with an invitation to members to take up the pope’s call, beginning with an Oct. 1 rosary livestreamed from St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, the birthplace of the Order.

Archbishop Lori leads the delegation in prayer at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Taybeh, West Bank. The church was damaged in a fire set by Israeli settlers in July. (Photo by Joseph Saadeh)

Nine days later, just over a month after the K of C/CNEWA delegation’s visit, a U.S.-brokered peace deal took effect on Oct. 10, followed by the Oct. 13 release of the remaining 20 living hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

The ceasefire brought renewed hope — tempered by ongoing clashes between the two sides, unanswered questions about governance of the Gaza Strip, and demands for the return of the bodies of deceased hostages.

“This is the day that we’ve been waiting for for two years,” Joseph Hazboun, regional director for CNEWA–Pontifical Mission’s Jerusalem office, told OSV News in an interview — though he considered the deal a “ceasefire” rather than a true “peace agreement,” and predicted an exodus of Gaza’s remaining Christians.

Following the ceasefire, Hazboun noted, CNEWA would direct attention to the immediate needs of Gaza residents — including food, water and medical care.

Pope Leo — who days earlier announced that his first apostolic journey would be to Turkey and Lebanon, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 — likewise welcomed the development with words of encouragement and caution.

“As I have said before, peace is unarmed and disarming,” he told pilgrims gathered Oct. 11 in St. Peter’s Square for a prayer vigil and rosary for peace.

“[Peace] is not deterrence, but fraternity; it is not an ultimatum, but dialogue,” the Holy Father said, in the presence of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. “Peace will not come as the result of victories over the enemy, but as the fruit of sowing justice and courageous forgiveness.”

Archbishop William Lori blesses survivors of human trafficking.

Mission of Solidarity and Hope

A REGION IN CRISIS

‘THE FACE OF CHRIST’

PEACE ON THE HORIZON

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