logo
Cardinal says he returned from rare visit to Gaza with 'broken heart'

Cardinal says he returned from rare visit to Gaza with 'broken heart'

Straits Times5 days ago
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends a press conference after a trip to Gaza where he visited a church shelled by Israel, in Jerusalem, July 22, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
JERUSALEM - Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, said on Tuesday he and church leaders had returned from a visit to Gaza with "broken hearts", calling the spiralling humanitarian crisis there "morally unacceptable".
Pizzaballa and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, on Friday visited the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City, where an Israeli strike last week killed three people and injured several more including the parish priest.
"It is time to end this nonsense and the war," the cardinal, who is the most senior Catholic authority in the region, told a press conference in Jerusalem.
He called for more humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, calling it "a matter of life or death." He added: "Every hour without food, water, medicine and shelter causes deep harm. It is morally unacceptable and unjustifiable."
It is extremely rare for foreign officials to be allowed entry into Gaza as Israel has essentially sealed its borders since launching its war against Hamas following the Palestinian militant group's cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday blamed "stray ammunition" for the strike on the church and said Israel was "investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites."
Pizzaballa and a Vatican official have questioned Israeli explanations for the incident.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking
Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt
Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology
Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments
Singapore Singapore not affected by haze despite smoke plumes in Sumatra: NEA
Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
When asked about his stance after his visit to the damaged church, Pizzaballa said on Tuesday that it was not clear what happened and they could not "prove anything."
Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday and in their exchange the pontiff renewed appeals for an end to the war, protection of civilians and places of worship while voicing concern for "the dramatic humanitarian situation" in Gaza, the Vatican said. REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Three people killed in train crash in Germany, police say
Three people killed in train crash in Germany, police say

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Three people killed in train crash in Germany, police say

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Three people were killed and others seriously injured when a passenger train derailed in southwestern Germany on Sunday, police said in a statement. There were around 100 people on board, police in the city of Stuttgart said, adding that two carriages had left the tracks between the towns of Riedlingen and Munderkingen. The train was on a roughly 90 km (55 mile) route between Sigmaringen and Ulm, a police spokesperson said earlier on Sunday. The cause of the crash was under investigation, the police statement said. A picture by German news agency DPA showed carriages largely intact but jackknifed into each other and rolled onto their sides. REUTERS

EU's von der Leyen: 15% the 'best we could get'
EU's von der Leyen: 15% the 'best we could get'

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

EU's von der Leyen: 15% the 'best we could get'

Find out what's new on ST website and app. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sits with U.S. President Donald Trump, after the announcement of a trade deal between the U.S. and EU, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein PRESTWICK, Scotland - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the trade deal clinched with United States on Sunday as "the best we could get" and not to be underestimated given the looming threat of 30% tariffs that had been hanging over the EU. A baseline tariff rate of 15% on EU goods imported into the United States would apply to most goods including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceutical goods, von der Leyen said. Meanwhile, a zero-for-zero tariff rate had been agreed for certain strategic products, including aircraft and aircraft parts, certain chemicals, and certain generic drugs. No decision had been taken on a rate for wine and spirits, she added. Asked if she considered 15% a good deal for European carmakers, von der Leyen told reporters: "15% is not to be underestimated, but it is the best we could get." The European Union committed to purchasing $750 billion worth U.S. LNG and nuclear fuel over three years. "We still have too much Russian LNG that is coming through the back door," she said. The European Commission has proposed phasing out all Russian gas imports by Jan 1, 2028. "Today's deal creates certainty in uncertain times, delivers stability and predictability," von der Leyen told reporters before leaving Scotland. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021

Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo
Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo speaking at Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion on July 27. SINGAPORE – Singapore's multiculturalism must continue to be core to the country's shared values as it looks to SG100, and this is something the younger generation must inherit, strengthen and pass on, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo. This multiculturalism is a unique strength and especially crucial in an increasingly divided world, said Mr Neo as he addressed around 500 youth participants at the inaugural Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion showcase. 'Our multiracial, harmonious and cohesive society is a priceless asset that generations of Singaporeans have collectively nurtured,' he said. 'It underpins our safety and security and allows us to bring our families up in peace and pursue our dreams to go further.' Held on the evening of July 27 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, the youth-led cultural showcase and community fair was the collective effort of over 100 young people from 10 religions and 25 community and faith-based organisations. Mr Neo said he was heartened to see Singapore's youth step forward to lead efforts on the multiculturalism front, stressing that it was more important than ever in a fractured, increasingly divided world. He said Singapore is not immune to vulnerabilities such as 'new driving forces that seek to pull us apart' – citing the spread of misinformation and the subsequent creation of echo chambers as an example. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 'Our youth are our future... We need to create space for them to have a voice and to have a hand in shaping our future Singapore society,' added Mr Neo, who is also Senior Minister of State for Education. It was a sentiment shared by 18-year-old Thaddeus Tan, one of the youngsters leading Kaleidescope and who has been a grassroots member in MacPherson since the age of 13. He said his experience on the ground gave him a different perspective on the increasingly diverse concerns among young people. 'It made me realise that young people require a national-level platform to both showcase their skills and talents, and their concerns about issues like social, racial and religious harmony that extend beyond a (one-off) Racial Harmony Day,' said Thaddeus, a student in Nanyang Junior College. 'By bringing this to a national level, we are actually telling the youth: We appreciate you and it's important that you have a seat at the table.' Civil servant Didi Amzar, 27, one of the youth leaders in the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle and a leader of the Kaleidoscope project, said: 'There have been youth-led events in the past but definitely not something of this scale and in this format.' Mr Didi Amzar (right) and Mr Thaddeus Tan at the inaugural Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion showcase. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The Racial and Religious Harmony Circle currently has more than 1,700 members, including representatives from religious organisations, civic groups and grassroots organisations from across Singapore. Mr Didi, who conceptualised and shaped the storyline for the Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion showcase, said he wanted to feature 'the real diversity of Singapore' beyond the standard Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others communities to also feature the often overlooked 'in-betweens'. Hence, the production, a three-act performance about three young protagonists' aspirations for a harmonious society, featured actors of mixed-race heritage for a more inclusive representation of Singaporeans. 'The youth leaders have to find a solution to unite their tribes and society, and I think that's a really good reminder – that if we really want youth leaders to be the future generation leading us forward, we have to give them the chance to do so,' he said. The Kaleidescope event also featured a fair with interactive booths, cultural demonstrations by musicians, and sharing sessions on the various religions in Singapore by partners such as the Inter-Religious Organisation; Climate Interfaith; Dialogue Centre; and Roses of Peace. The event concluded Singapore's Racial and Religious Harmony Month celebrations. Racial Harmony Day is celebrated on July 21, with July designated as Racial and Religious Harmony Month since 2023. In 2025 , Harmony Circle and community partners organised more than 60 activities, bringing together more than 100,000 people through sports, arts, carnivals, dialogues and tours.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store