Jerusalem Christian leader heads Christmas prayers in Gaza

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Monsignor Fouad Twal visited the Gaza Strip yesterday and led Christmas prayers in the Church of the Latins, MEMO journalist in Gaza reported.

Twal lit the Christmas tree in the presence of worshippers who gathered in the church to celebrate and listen to his sermon.

“We are experiencing the feelings of peace, fraternity and brotherhood. We hope the next year will be the year of blessings and be better than the past one,” he said.

He stressed on the strong relationship between Christians and Muslims, noting that it is a blessing that this Christmas coincided with the birthday of Islam’s Prophet Mohamed (pbuh).

Praising the link between Palestinians throughout the land, he called on politicians to end divisions and unite in order to end the conflict.

Scores of Palestinian Christians from Gaza began travelling to Bethlehem through the Erez Crossing with Israel. Israeli authorities only issued a number of travel permits to Christians wishing to complete the pilgrimage.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal celebrates a mass at the Holy Family Catholic church in Gaza City, Gaza on December 20, 2015, ahead of the Christmas and new year. Images by Anadolu.