Pizzaballa, 60, Once Offered Himself in Exchange for Hostages. Now the Cardinal Could Be the Next Pope
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa could be a contender to be Pope Francis' successor, some experts say
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem offered himself in exchange for children taken hostage by Hamas back in 2023
Pizzaballa is an experienced diplomat and one of three Italian cardinals seen as a possible papal contender, an expert tells PEOPLE
As the world waits for Pope Francis' successor to be chosen, some say Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is a legitimate contender.
The 60-year-old Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has lived in the city since 1990, navigating a politically charged region and three major religions with grace, according to the New York Times. Although many people may have only heard of him recently (for one, his last name has inspired a number of memes), he previously made news when he offered himself up in exchange for children taken hostage by Hamas after their October 2023 attack on southern Israel. At the time, he had been a cardinal for just two weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
"Anything, if this can lead to freedom and bring those children back home, no problem," he said while speaking with Vatican reporters. "On my part, absolute willingness."
Reflecting on the reaction during a subsequent interview with CNN, Pizzaballa acknowledged that what he said that day was 'very naive" and noted that his comments were not universally well-received. 'Why Israeli children and not for the Palestinian children? My answer was… also for them I'm ready. No problem," he told the outlet.
Related: Pope Francis Buried at St. Mary Major, a Church with 'Very Beautiful' Connection to His Faith
Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Pope Francis presented the red biretta hat to Cardinal Pizzaballa on Sept. 30, 2023 at the Vatican.
Two weeks before Francis' death on April 21, the cardinal spoke more about the war that has brought widespread devastation to Gaza.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
'Every man of faith has questions, including myself,' said Pizzaballa, according to CNN. 'You are so frustrated from the situation, and you ask, 'Where are you?' to God. 'Where are you?' Then I come to myself and I understand the question should be, 'Where is man now? What have we done with our humanity?''
'We cannot consider God guilty of what we are doing,' he said, according to CNN.
Throughout his lifetime, Pope Francis was outspoken in his criticism of Israel, called for an end to the ongoing violence in Gaza and, in a final gift, sent his popemobile to serve as a health clinic for children in Gaza.
Related: Nun Who Broke Vatican Protocol to Mourn Friend Pope Francis Remembers Him as a 'Brother'
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Pizzaballa, who grew up in poverty in northern Italy, has developed a reputation for his kindness to the poor and his ability to build connections between peoples. While he isn't based in the Vatican, his respect for traditional aspects of church practice have softened the perspective of some conservatives, the Times reported.
The cardinal's connection to Italy, the storied seat of the Catholic Church for many centuries, also helps his chances.
Carmine Soprano, a Vatican analyst and UN consultant, tells PEOPLE that the three Italian candidates, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Pizzaballa, were all "quite close to Francis."
Each of the candidates would, "in different ways, represent a continuation of his progressive agenda," Soprano adds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
the expert explains that Pizzaballa is 'one of the most experienced' people in the church in issues regarding the Middle East.
'These three are not only perceived to be Francis-friendly, and therefore progressive, but also to be extremely skilled diplomats,' Soprano continues. 'So, their election might signify that the Conclave is looking for someone who is not only trying to continue Francis' progressive agenda, but also has the skills and the Vatican inside knowledge that will almost certainly be required to push that agenda forward.'
However, as other experts have told PEOPLE, when it comes to the conclave, anything can happen — and oftentimes, those seen as a frontrunners don't end up becoming pope.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Related: Who Will Be the Next Pope? Experts Say 'Anything Can Happen' (Exclusive)
If elected as pope, it's his faith that will see him through.
'Faith is the only thing you can grasp, you can keep alive, in your life,' Pizzaballa previously told CNN. He added, 'faith is a way to transcend yourself, to go beyond yourself. Faith is to believe in someone else.'
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
20 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Trump and Netanyahu may take a victory lap on Iran, but the Gaza war looms over their meeting
Advertisement 'The optics will be very positive,' said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington. 'But behind the victory lap are going to be some very serious questions.' Before departing for Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu praised the cooperation with the U.S. for bringing a 'huge victory over our shared enemy.' He struck a positive note on a ceasefire for Gaza, saying he was working 'to achieve the deal under discussion, on the terms we agreed to.' 'I think that the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance that result, which all of us hope for,' Netanyahu said. 'It changes from day to day' Israel and Hamas appear to be inching toward a new ceasefire agreement that would bring about a 60-day pause in the fighting, send aid flooding into Gaza and free at least some of the remaining 50 hostages held in the territory. Advertisement But a perennial sticking point is whether the ceasefire will end the war altogether. Hamas has said it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu says the war will end once Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile — something it refuses to do. Trump has made it clear that he wants to be known as a peacemaker. He has repeatedly trumpeted recent peace deals that his administration facilitated between India and Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and Israel and Iran, and for years has made little secret of the fact that he covets a Nobel Peace Prize. He has been pressuring Israel and Hamas to wrap up their own conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, ravaged Gaza, deepened Israel's international isolation and made any resolution to the broader conflict between Israel and the Palestinians more distant than ever. But the precise details of the deal, and whether it can lead to an end to the war, are still in flux. In the days before Netanyahu's visit, Trump seemed to downplay the chances for a breakthrough. Asked on Friday how confident he was a ceasefire deal would come together, Trump told reporters: 'I'm very optimistic — but you know, look, it changes from day to day.' On Sunday evening, he seemed to narrow his expectation, telling reporters that he thought an agreement related to the remaining hostages would be reached in the coming week. Trump and Netanyahu are more in sync than ever Those mood swings also have embodied Trump's relationship with Netanyahu. After Trump's decision to get involved in Israel's war in Iran with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the two leaders are more in sync than ever. But that's not always been the case. Advertisement As recently as Netanyahu's last visit to Washington in April, the tone was markedly different. Trump used the photo-op with Netanyahu to announce that the U.S. was entering into negotiations with Iran over its nuclear deal — appearing to catch the Israeli leader off guard and at the time, slamming the brakes on any Israeli military plan. He also praised Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a fierce critic of Israel's, in front of Netanyahu, and the two made no apparent progress on a trade deal at the height of Trump's tariff expansion. Trump, whose policies have largely aligned with Israel's own priorities, pledged last week to be 'very firm' with Netanyahu on ending the war, without saying what that would entail. Pressure by Trump has worked on Netanyahu in the past, with a ceasefire deal having been reached right as the president was taking office again. Netanyahu has to balance the demands of his American ally with the far-right parties in his governing coalition who hold the key to his political survival and oppose ending the war. But given the strong U.S. support in Israel's war against Iran, highlighted by joint airstrikes on a fortified underground Iranian nuclear site, Netanyahu may have a tough time saying no. On Sunday evening, Trump said one of the matters he expected to discuss with Netanyahu 'is probably a permanent deal with Iran.' Trump also may expect something in return for his recent calls for Netanyahu's corruption trial to be canceled — a significant interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state. Advertisement 'Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him,' said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel affairs at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. 'And if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war In Gaza, then that is what he will need to do.' Trump's regional vision The two men will likely discuss the ceasefire with Iran and how to respond to any perceived violations. But beyond Iran is Trump's grand vision for a new Middle East, where he hopes that additional countries will join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements normalizing relations between Arab countries and Israel brokered during Trump's first term. Netanyahu and Trump are likely to discuss how to bring Syria into the fold. The country, a longtime enemy of Israel's, has new leadership after the fall of President Bashar Assad, and experts say conditions might be ripe for some kind of nonbelligerency agreement. But Trump's ultimate goal is to include regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia. The Saudis, whose clout could open the door for other Arab or Muslim countries to join, have expressed interest in normalizing ties with Israel but only if it is accompanied by serious steps toward resolving Israel's conflict with the Palestinians. For starters, that would seem to require action in Gaza. 'The most important thing (for Trump) is to end the war in Gaza,' Gilboa said. 'That is the key to all the regional peace in the Middle East.' Price reported from Washington.
Washington Post
22 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Trump and Netanyahu may take a victory lap on Iran, but the Gaza war looms over their meeting
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump might look to take a victory lap on Monday after their recent joint strikes on Iran , hailed by both as an unmitigated success. But as they meet for the third time this year, the outwardly triumphant visit will be dogged by Israel's 21-month war against Hamas in Gaza and questions over how hard Trump will push for an end to the conflict.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gaza, Iran, trade: What to watch in Trump-Netanyahu meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's third visit to the White House this year marks a high point in his relationship with President Trump, coming on the heels of coordinated strikes on Iran that both have touted as setting back Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The Monday meeting also comes as Trump has called for Israel's courts to drop a series of corruption cases against Netanyahu, as Israel has reportedly agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza, and days before Trump's 17 percent 'reciprocal' tariffs on Israel are set to kick in on July 9. Trump's Oval Office meetings with world leaders have been full of surprises, and Netanyahu's previous visits are no exception. His first visit, in February, was marked by the jaw-dropping moment of Trump announcing his idea of the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip and transforming it into the 'Riviera' of the Middle East. When Netanyahu traveled to the White House again in April, he sat silently as Trump announced the U.S. would begin direct talks with Iran. Netanyahu had planned to strike Iran by the end of April but conceded to give the president 60 days for diplomacy. Israel launched its strike against Iran on day 61. These are the three critical issues at the top of the agenda for visit number three: Trump said on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to the terms of a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, though Hamas has continued to push for a more permanent deal. Details of the U.S. proposal are unclear, but it likely includes the scale-up of humanitarian aid into the enclave, where Palestinians are facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and Israel's release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for remaining Hamas hostages. The U.S.-designated terrorist group is believed to hold 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies of those Hamas kidnapped from southern Israel during the attack on Oct. 7, 2023. On Thursday, Trump met with freed Hamas hostage Edan Alexander at the White House. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told reporters that Israel estimates there are as many as 20 living hostages and 30 bodies. He said the latest U.S. proposal marked a 'crossroads' in the war. 'There are two ways, either you increase your involvement and you try to bring this war to an end — it's going to be hard, it's going to be painful,' Danon said. 'Or you take the other direction, which is basically agreeing to a ceasefire or end of a war without insisting of getting Hamas out, which I don't think the government, today, is there.' A group of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists will seek to present an alternate message on Capitol Hill during Netanyahu's visit. Calling themselves the Phoenix Project, the activists from the West Bank and Gaza Strip are lobbying U.S. lawmakers to support their framework for a long-term peace agreement that includes support for a Palestinian state. 'Netanyahu promises more death. He promises more war. Our vision proposes safety and equality for all of us,' said Josh Drill, co-author of the framework. Drill, in a phone call with The Hill, said the group of 25- to 35-year-old activists represents the next generation of regional leaders. 'We'll be meeting with members of Congress and senators from both sides of the aisle, and we really want to start a conversation about peace with them. This is not just a one-time conversation. We want to have relationships that will help us create peace in our region,' he said. Netanyahu said a major priority for his trip to Washington is to build on the success of the strikes against Iran in coordination with the U.S. Danon said Israel is supportive of U.S. diplomatic outreach to Iran amid the Trump-brokered ceasefire, which ended the 12 days of war between the countries. Trump said he is allowing China to purchase oil from Iran to help Tehran rebuild, and he added he doesn't think it's necessary to reach a new nuclear deal. Still, his most trusted negotiator, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly preparing for meetings with Iran's foreign minister next week. Danon said Israel's position is that Iran must submit to a rigorous inspection protocol of its nuclear activities. Iran on Monday approved legislation suspending its cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, but the Islamic Republic had long been criticized for obscuring and blocking inspectors under existing agreements. 'Ideally, having a strong mechanism with sanctions involved, make sure they are not rebuilding capabilities, that is the preferred option,' Danon said. 'If that will not work, then we have the ability — and we proved our intelligence capabilities … and make sure they're not getting to a point that we can't tolerate.' While Israeli officials want to see Iran's leaders fall from power, Danon said regime change is not the goal of Israeli operations. 'It's up to the Iranian people to decide how to do it and when to do it,' he told reporters. Like dozens of countries, Israel is facing a July 9 deadline to avoid Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs, which were set at 17 percent for Israel. While Israel had the distinction of being one of America's first free-trade partnerships, under a deal signed in 1985, that didn't spare the country from Trump's trade wars. Reaching a fair deal will be essential for Israel's recovery after two years of expanding wars, said Dan Catarivas, president of the Federation of Binational Chambers of Commerce in Israel and former deputy director general for international affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Finance. Catarivas said the Israeli government would like to see Trump provide Israel with 'special treatment,' given the country's small size and historically close ties on security, and because Israeli exports pose little to no threat to America's economy. 'I think it is in the interest of the U.S. to have an Israeli economy that is flourishing and is healthy and developing and resilient,' he said, adding that coming in at or lower than a 10 percent tariff would signal a win. Catarivas said Israel can seek to ratchet down that figure by dropping barriers to entry to American exports and harmonizing industry standards with the U.S. related to cars, electronics and food weight. Catarivas also pointed to things that fall outside of explicit trade, like joint research and development projects that build on Israel's high-tech expertise. He pointed to the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system as an area where Israeli research and American production successfully came together. 'I think what we'd like is special treatment because we are in a special situation, and our relations with Americans are special,' Catarivas said. 'It's not like with Vietnam or Thailand, or other European countries; they don't have the same intimacy of relations with the U.S. That's the expectation on our side.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
