Pope Francis Was Deeply Connected to the Gaza Diocese, Says Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

According to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierluigi Baldissera Piccinini, Pope Francis was profoundly connected to the Catholic diocese in Gaza. ‘We can say it became the heart of his papacy,’ stated the patriarch. For a long period, Pope Francis reportedly called members of the diocese every night at seven. ‘He worked for justice without getting entangled in controversy,’ added the patriarch, who is considered one of the favorites as a potential successor to Francis. Meanwhile, according to Italian media, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed its embassies worldwide to remove condolence messages posted online for Pope Francis’s death.