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Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem composes prayer to Mary for peace in the Holy Land – LifeSite

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(LifeSiteNews) — As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to wage war against neighboring countries in the Middle East, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is imploring help from the Blessed Virgin Mary to bring peace to the region. 

On Friday, August 9, Pizzaballa called on those who want the conflict to end to pray to Mary, the Mother of Christ, for her intercession.  

“After having spent so many words and after having done what we can to help and be close to everyone, especially those who are most affected, all that remains is for us to pray,” His Eminence said in a statement.  

Pizzaballa is the Latin Patriarchate of the Holy Land, a role that since the war broke out last October has given him an even more prominent position on the world’s stage.  

His Eminence has repeatedly used his status to condemn the “nightmare” scenario unfolding in Palestine. Over the past ten months, His Eminence has not only toured war-torn Gaza but brought attention to the war crimes being carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces, which attacked a Catholic school in July 2024. 

“The scale of the destruction I witnessed is unbelievable, and the poor living conditions, such as the lack of water and electricity and the absence of security, are dire,” he has said. 

Pizaballa’s statement expresses a note of hope amid the carnage wrought by Netanyahu, who’s ethnic cleansing has resulted in more than 35,000 Palestinian deaths, including many Christians and women and children. 

 “These days seem to be important to be able to turn the tide of the conflict, and among them especially August 15, which for us is the day of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven,” Pizaballa said. “I invite everyone to a moment of intercession for peace to the Blessed Virgin Mary.” 

The prayer His Eminence composed for August 15 (which can be found at the bottom of this article) asks Mary, St. Michael the Archangel, and all the saints to beg Our Lord to obtain “reconciliation and peace” not only for the Holy Land but for all humanity. 

“May your prophecy be fulfilled: the proud are scattered in the imaginations of their hearts; the mighty are overthrown from their thrones, and finally, the humble are raised,” it reads. 

Pizzaballa has served as the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem since 2020. He was made a cardinal in September 2023, mere weeks before the conflict broke out. Just 58, he has emerged as a possible dark horse contender at the next conclave. He is viewed as a “moderate” with less baggage than other Cardinals such as current Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.  

At the same time, Pizzaballa has expressed support for many of Francis’ most controversial documents, including his heterodox Abu Dhabi declaration, Laudato Si, and Fratelli Tutti. 

Pizzaballa first garnered international headlines when he offered himself in exchange for children being held captive in Gaza by Hamas in October 2023. He has repeatedly called for peace in the region, though has noted that “only by ending decades of (Israeli) occupation” will a “serious” peace process begin. 

On Jul 31, Israeli military recently assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the lead politician and negotiator of Hamas, which carried out the October 7 attack in Israel. The move has scuttled ceasefire talks and resulted in an escalation of a rhetoric that may result in a wider conflict breaking out that could include the United States, Russia, China, and Iran.  

Supplication for peace to Our Lady assumed into Heaven 

O most glorious Mother of God,
raised above the choirs of angels,
pray for us with Saint Michael the Archangel and with all the angelic powers of heaven and with all the saints,
to your most holy
and beloved Son, our Lord and master. 

Obtain for this Holy Land,
for all His children
and for all humanity
the gift of reconciliation and peace. 

May your prophecy be fulfilled:
the proud are scattered
in the imaginations of their hearts;
the mighty are overthrown from their thrones,
and finally, the humble are raised;
Let the hungry be filled with good things,
the peaceful be recognized as children of God and that the meek may receive the earth as a gift. 

May Jesus Christ, your Son, grant us this,
He who exalted you today
above the choirs of angels,
who crowned you with the diadem of the Kingdom, and has placed you on the throne of eternal splendor. To him be honor and glory forever. Amen. 

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