A priest has called Pope Francis’ nightly phone calls to his small Gaza parish “something very beautiful”, reports RTE.
For a year and a half before his health declined, the Pope rang the Holy Family Church each evening, with his last call coming just two days before he died.
The calls, made at 8pm local time over WhatsApp video using the phone of Fr Gabriel Romanelli, the parish’s pastor, became known among Gaza’s residents as “Pope O’Clock”, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Fr Carlos Ferrero said he wasn’t sure exactly when the Pope’s regular calls began.
“I came to the parish in May 2024 when the Patriarch managed to get permission to do a Pastoral Visit here; Fr Romanelli and myself, we entered (Gaza) to remain here,” he said, reports RTE.
“Once we were here, the calls began to be more and more frequent until they became a daily call.”
According to Fr Ferrero, the Pope would ask about both the wellbeing of the parish and the broader community, reports RTE.
“He was very concerned, and encouraging us to be strong, to be patient, to continue praying, to support the people, and always showing his closeness to us all, and also very happy when we managed to help the population all around us,” reports RTE.
He said the Pope’s concern meant a great deal to the church in Gaza.
“Imagine for us, the head of the Church calling us every day, that’s something amazing, and for all the parishioners, all the Christians who are refugees here, everybody appreciated it,” said Fr Ferrero, reports RTE.
“They were hoping and waiting for that call, because you feel you are being heard, you feel you are somebody important; somebody considers you, you’re not just a number,” reports RTE.
“Even if the words were few, it was enough for everybody to be consoled and supported,” reports RTE.
Fr Ferrero shared how parishioners would gather around the phone to greet the Pope, to be seen, and once even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.
The final call from Pope Francis came on Easter Saturday, just before the liturgy began.
“That was also providential because imagine if he was to call a little later, maybe we would have not answered; but thanks to God, Fr Romanelli was at the entrance of the Church and got the call,” reports RTE.
He explained that the Pope’s voice was weak during that last conversation, but he still offered comfort, asked about their wellbeing, and reminded them to stay strong and pray for peace.
After learning of Pope Francis’ death, Fr Ferrero said the parish held a funeral service in his memory.
“We already miss him, but at the same time, we were all supported by his words,” he said, reports RTE.
“The celebration of Easter gives us the strength also to hope; something that he always encouraged everybody was to keep the hope up and wait for the grace of God,” reports RTE.
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