On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, Cardinal Fernando Filoni visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem and the Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and other associates of him, and the clergy of the Latin Patriarch.
The Cardinal was received by Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and Hagiotaphite Fathers, welcoming him amidst a festal period and a tense situation in Jerusalem.
On this visit the Cardinal addressed Patriarch Theophilos, underlining the philanthropic and educational activity of the Order of Knights where He belongs.
Thanking him Patriarch Theophilos said that his words are encouraging for the Christian presence in the Holy Land and referred to the contribution of the current Patriarch in Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, former Custos of the Holy Land, to the Christian cooperation and the renovation of the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre. This cooperation, His Beatitude said, continues to this day in a genuine Ecumenical Spirit and genuine dialogue. Through this cooperation, we face the recent known challenges and pressures by radical extremist elements against the Christians, who are the living stones of the body of Christ, the Church. Patriarch Theophilos wished the Cardinal success in his visit and offered him a silver painting of Jerusalem and blessings from Jerusalem to his companions. The Cardinal offered Patriarch Theophilos an emblem of the Order of Knights and a precious notebook.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Cardinal had an official entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, according to the existing Status Quo.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
