Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Stored: Pierbattista Pizzaballa
| His Beatitude and Eminence Pierbattista Pizzaballa | |
| Bishop of Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Bologna |
| Other diocese 1: | Titular See of Verbe |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 15 September 1990 by Cardinal Giacomo Biffi |
| Consecration: | 10 September 2016 by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Pierbattista Pizzaballa 21 April 1965 Cologno al Serio, Bergamo, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Education: | Studium Biblicum Franciscanum |
| Motto: | "Sufficit Tibi Gratia Mea" (My Grace Is Sufficient for You) |
| Role: | Patriarchal |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Middle East |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., born on 21 April 1965, is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.[1] Born in Cologno al Serio, Italy, he entered the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1984, was ordained a priest in 1990, and served as Custos of the Holy Land from 2004 to 2016 and Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate from 2016 to 2020.[2] Known for his moderate theology, commitment to interreligious dialogue, and advocacy for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Pizzaballa has been a prominent figure in the Middle East, notably offering himself as a hostage in exchange for Israeli children during the 2023 Gaza war.[3] His leadership of Caritas Jerusalem and his role as Grand Prior of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre underscore his pastoral influence.[4]
Pizzaballa’s ministry emphasizes solidarity with both Jewish and Palestinian communities, including criticism of Israel’s West Bank barrier and Palestinian leadership’s narratives, while promoting dialogue through events like the 2014 Vatican peace prayer with Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas.[5] His appointment as the first non-Arab Latin Patriarch since 1987 sparked debate due to his initial lack of Arabic fluency, though he now speaks it alongside Hebrew, English, and Italian.[6] As president of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (2017–present) and the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (2016–present), he has advocated for humanitarian aid and de-escalation in Gaza, notably signing a 2023 statement condemning civilian attacks.[4] His eligibility for the 2025 papal conclave has led to media speculation about his papabile status, though he has not commented on it.[7] Despite global attention, Pizzaballa remains focused on Jerusalem, visiting Gaza’s Christians in 2024 and promoting interfaith solidarity.[8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Pierbattista Pizzaballa was born on 21 April 1965 in Cologno al Serio, Bergamo, Italy, to Pietro Pizzaballa and Maria Maddalena Tadini, the youngest of three brothers.[1] Raised in the rural hamlet of Castel Liteggio, he enjoyed a simple lifestyle, visiting stables and playing country games, which shaped his pastoral humility.[9] Inspired by his local priest, Don Pèrsec, he entered the Franciscan Le Grazie minor seminary in Bologna in September 1976.[5]
His upbringing in Lombardy’s Catholic community and early Franciscan exposure fostered a commitment to service and dialogue, influencing his later work in the Holy Land.[6] Pizzaballa’s family included a notable uncle, footballer Pierluigi Pizzaballa, a rarity in Panini sticker collections.[10]
Education
Pizzaballa began Franciscan formation in 1984, studying philosophy and theology at the Antonianum in Rome and the Studium Theologicum Jerosolymitanum in Jerusalem.[4] He earned a licentiate in biblical theology from the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem, with a thesis on Hebrew liturgical texts.[11] Ordained a priest on 15 September 1990 by Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, he moved to Jerusalem in October 1990.[1]
His academic roles included teaching biblical Hebrew at the Franciscan Faculty of Biblical and Archaeological Sciences and serving as a consultor for the Vatican’s Commission for Relations with Judaism since 2008.[4] His multilingual skills (Italian, Hebrew, English, Arabic) enhanced his pastoral work.[6]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Order of Friars Minor in 1990, Pizzaballa joined the Custody of the Holy Land in 1999, serving as superior of the Convent of Saints Simeon and Anna (2001–2005) and Patriarchal Vicar (2005–2008).[5] He coordinated the 1995 publication of the Roman Missal in Hebrew and translated liturgical texts for Hebrew-speaking Catholics.[4] Elected Custos of the Holy Land in 2004, he served until 2016, overseeing Franciscan sites and promoting interfaith dialogue.[2]
Pizzaballa organized the 2014 Vatican peace prayer with Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas, criticized Israel’s West Bank barrier, and challenged Palestinian leadership narratives, reflecting his balanced approach.[5] His pastoral work with Hebrew-speaking Catholics and ties with Jewish leaders earned praise, though his initial lack of Arabic fluency drew criticism.[6]
Bishop
Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and titular Archbishop of Verbe on 24 June 2016 by Pope Francis, Pizzaballa was consecrated on 10 September 2016 by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, with Archbishop Fouad Twal and Bishop Francesco Beschi as co-consecrators.[1] Named Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on 24 October 2020, he received the pallium on 28 October 2020.[2] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Sant’Onofrio on 30 September 2023, he became the first resident cardinal in Jerusalem’s history.[9]
Pizzaballa’s episcopal ministry has focused on peace advocacy, condemning Hamas’ 2023 actions as “barbaric” and offering himself as a hostage for Israeli children.[3] He signed a 2023 statement on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, criticized by Israeli minister Eli Cohen, and wore a Palestinian keffiyeh in Bethlehem in 2023 to express solidarity.[5] His moderate theology, balancing social justice with Eucharistic centrality, has drawn both liberal and conservative support, though his allowance of the Traditional Latin Mass post-*Traditionis Custodes* has sparked debate.[9]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titular See of Verbe | Titular Archbishop | 24 June 2016 | 24 October 2020 | Apostolic Administrator of Latin Patriarchate |
| Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem | Apostolic Administrator | 24 June 2016 | 24 October 2020 | First non-Arab appointee since 1987 |
| Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem | Latin Patriarch | 24 October 2020 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2023 |
Significant events
- Entered the Order of Friars Minor in 1984.[4]
- Ordained priest in 1990 by Cardinal Giacomo Biffi.[1]
- Published the Roman Missal in Hebrew in 1995.[4]
- Elected Custos of the Holy Land in 2004, serving until 2016.[2]
- Organized Vatican peace prayer with Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas in 2014.[5]
- Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate in 2016.[1]
- Joined the Order of the Holy Sepulchre as Pro Grand Prior in 2016.[5]
- Appointed member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in 2017.[4]
- Named Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in 2020.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.[1]
- Offered himself as a hostage during the 2023 Gaza war.[3]
- Visited Gaza’s Christian community in 2024.[8]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[12]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Mazurczak, Filip (30 September 2023). "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: A Franciscan in the Holy Land". https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/09/30/meet-the-new-cardinals-pierbattista-pizzaballa/.
- Franklin, Peter (25 December 2024). "Could Pierbattista Pizzaballa be the next Pope?". https://unherd.com/2024/12/could-pierbattista-pizzaballa-be-the-next-pope/.
- Wooden, Cindy (1 May 2025). "In Middle East, cardinal has shown political savvy, pastor’s heart". https://catholicreview.org/in-middle-east-cardinal-has-shown-political-savvy-pastors-heart/.
Written by the bishop
- Pizzaballa, Pierbattista (2005). La presenza francescana in Terra Santa. Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press. ISBN 978-88-6240-000-9 Parameter error in {{ISBN}}: Invalid ISBN.. https://www.franciscanprintingpress.com/la-presenza-francescana-in-terra-santa.
- Pizzaballa, Pierbattista; Acquaviva, Giorgio (2008). Terra Santa. Brescia: Editrice La Scuola. ISBN 978-88-350-2314-2. https://www.lascuola.it/libro/terra-santa.
- Pizzaballa, Pierbattista (2011). Le comunità cristiane in Medio Oriente oggi. LXIV. Rome: Editrice Urbaniana University Press. ISBN 978-88-401-4041-4. https://www.urbaniana.press/le-comunita-cristiane-in-medio-oriente-oggi.
- Pizzaballa, Pierbattista; Pescali, Piergiorgio (2014). Il Custode di Terra Santa: Un colloquio con padre Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Turin: ADD Editore. ISBN 978-88-6783-075-6. https://www.addeditore.it/libro/il-custode-di-terra-santa.
- Pizzaballa, Pierbattista (2016). Il potere del cuore: Il Medio Oriente nel racconto del Custode di Terra Santa. Milan: Edizioni Terra Santa. ISBN 978-88-6240-379-5. https://www.edizioniterrasanta.it/libro/il-potere-del-cuore.
External links
- Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa at Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
- Cardinal Pizzaballa Offers Hostage Exchange at Vatican News
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa at Vatican Press
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, O.F.M.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpizzp.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Resignations and Appointments, 24.10.2020". 24 October 2020. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/10/24/201024a.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Pizzaballa: A cardinal in the eye of the storm". 17 October 2023. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/pizzaballa-a-cardinal-in-the-eye-of-the-storm/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "Biography of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa". https://www.lpj.org/biography-cardinal-pierbattista-pizzaballa.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Pierbattista Pizzaballa". 30 April 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierbattista_Pizzaballa.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Mazurczak, Filip (30 September 2023). "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: A Franciscan in the Holy Land". https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/09/30/meet-the-new-cardinals-pierbattista-pizzaballa/.
- ↑ Franklin, Peter (25 December 2024). "Could Pierbattista Pizzaballa be the next Pope?". https://unherd.com/2024/12/could-pierbattista-pizzaballa-be-the-next-pope/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Wooden, Cindy (1 May 2025). "In Middle East, cardinal has shown political savvy, pastor’s heart". https://catholicreview.org/in-middle-east-cardinal-has-shown-political-savvy-pastors-heart/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/pierbattista-pizzaballa.
- ↑ "Pierbattista Pizzaballa". 14 March 2019. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierbattista_Pizzaballa.
- ↑ "Meet the Speaker: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa". 11 December 2024. https://think.nd.edu/meet-the-speaker-cardinal-pierbattista-pizzaballa/.
- ↑ Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.