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Pierbattista Pizzaballa

His Beatitude and Eminence

Pierbattista Pizzaballa

OFM
Pizzaballa in 2016
ChurchCatholic Church
DioceseJerusalem
Appointed24 October 2020
Installed6 November 2020
PredecessorFouad Twal
Other post(s)
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination15 September 1990
by Giacomo Biffi
Consecration10 September 2016
by Leonardo Sandri
Created cardinal30 September 2023
by Pope Francis
RankCardinal priest
Personal details
Born (1965-04-21) 21 April 1965 (age 60)
Cologno al Serio, Italy
MottoSufficit tibi gratia mea ('My grace is sufficient for you')
SignaturePierbattista Pizzaballa's signature
Coat of armsPierbattista Pizzaballa's coat of arms

Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM (Italian: [ˌpjɛrbatˈtista pittsaˈballa]; Latin: Petrus Baptista Pizzaballa;[1] born 21 April 1965) is an Italian member of the Franciscan Order and a Roman Catholic cardinal who has been serving as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 6 November 2020.[2]

After being received into the Franciscan Order in 1984, he spent his novitiate at the Franciscan Shrine of La Verna in Arezzo, Italy. In 1990, after having obtained a diploma in classical studies from the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Ferrara as well as a bachelor's degree in theology from the Pontifical University Antonianum and having been ordained a priest, he was called to service in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, he went on to study Biblical Theology first at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum and then from 1995 to 1999 at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.[3] He obtained a PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem[4] and became an assistant professor of Biblical Hebrew and Judaism at the Franciscan Faculty of Biblical and Archaeological Sciences in Jerusalem as well as the Studium Theologicum Jerosolymitanum.[5]

At the same time, in 1999, Pizzaballa joined the Franciscans working at the Custody of the Holy Land founded in 1217 by Saint Francis of Assisi. In 1342, the Franciscans were officially declared by two papal bulls as the Catholic Church's custodians of the Christian Holy Places. In 2004, he was elected to the position of Custos of the Holy Land, the head of the Custody and all Franciscans in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Libanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and parts of Egypt. The title of Custos (guardian) likewise goes back to St. Francis. Pizzaballa was reelected twice as Custos and served in this position for twelve years until 2016.

In 2016, he was ordained a bishop in Italy and appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. In 2020, he became the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem, the head of Christianity's mother church including the areas of Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus. Three years later, in 2023, he was made a cardinal by Pope Francis. Following Francis' death, he was considered papabile (a possible candidate to be elected pope by the College of Cardinals) at the 2025 papal conclave despite his relatively young age.[6][7][8]

Early life and education

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Pierbattista Pizzaballa was born in Cologno al Serio, Bergamo, Italy, son of Pietro Pizzaballa and Maria Maddalena Tadini.[9] He has two brothers and is the nephew of Pierluigi Pizzaballa, a former professional Italian football player (goalkeeper).[10]

Growing up in the small hamlet of Castel Liteggio, Pizzaballa witnessed a "simple and authentic" lifestyle which he describes with the following words: "It was a simple and genuine world, and a sober and happy life."[11] Motivated by a desire to be like a much-loved local priest, Don Pèrsec, Pizzaballa felt a vocation to be a priest already as a child at the age of nine. In September 1976, he entered the Franciscan Le Grazie minor seminary in Rimini at the age of 11 and eight years later, in September 1984, the Franciscan novitiate in La Verna.[12] He made his first vows there on September 7, 1985, and his perpetual vows in Bologna on October 4, 1989. He was ordained a priest on September 15, 1990, in the Cathedral of Bologna by Cardinal Giacomo Biffi.[13]

Pizzaballa obtained his diploma in classical studies at the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Ferrara[14] and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in theology at the Pontifical University Antonianum. As a 25-year-old priest he was sent to the Holy Land where he studied Biblical Theology at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem and learned biblical as well as modern Hebrew.[13] Besides his native Italian, Pizzaballa today speaks Hebrew, Latin, English, and Arabic.[14][15][16]

He was then sent to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 1995 to 1999 to deepen his understanding of Jewish religious thought where he was the only Christian studying Scripture at that time but said it was “very interesting” because it was the first time that he found himself in a “non-Christian context.”[17] In 1998, he became assistant professor of Biblical Hebrew and Judaism at the Franciscan Faculty of Biblical and Archaeological Sciences in Jerusalem and the Studium Theologicum Jerosolymitanum.[18] He was responsible for the translation of the Roman Missal into Hebrew and its publication in 1995. He also translated liturgical texts into Hebrew.[14]

Custody of the Holy Land

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In July 1999, Pizzaballa joined the Franciscans working at the Custody of the Holy Land which was founded by Saint Francis of Assissi. He was first entrusted with the pastoral care of Hebrew-speaking Catholics and on May 9, 2001, appointed Superior of the Convent of Saints Simeon and Anna in Jerusalem.

In May 2004, he was elected to the position of Custos of the Holy Land, the head of the Franciscan priory known as the Custody of the Holy Land and of all Franciscans in the Middle East (Israel, Palestinian territories, Libanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and parts of Egypt). Having been elected to a six-year term in May 2004, re-elected to a three-year term in March 2010, and reconfirmed for another three-year term in 2013, he served in this position for twelve years until 2016.[13]

From 2005 to 2008, while Custos, he also served as Patriarchal Vicar[13] and in 2008 was appointed a Consultor in the Commission for Relations with Judaism of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.[19]

In June 2014, Pizzaballa organized the peace prayer in the Vatican gardens, which brought together Pope Francis, then Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.[15] Pizzaballa criticized Israel's construction of a barrier between the West Bank and Jerusalem and participated in protests against it in 2015. He also, before becoming a bishop, criticized Palestinian leaders for blaming all problems on the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.[15]

Bishop and Patriarch

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Titular Archbishop of Verbe

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On 24 June 2016, Pope Francis nominated Pizzaballa as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and appointed him titular archbishop of Verbe.[13] On 10 September 2016 he was consecrated by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri in the Bergamo Cathedral, with Bishop Francesco Beschi, Archbishop Fouad Twal, the then new Custos of the Holy Land Francesco Patton and Bishop Nektarios from the Greek Orthodox Church also present.[20] His unsually long interim tenure reflected the internal tensions between the traditional Arab-centered Patriarchate and supporters of the expansion of its pastoral care towards Israeli society.[21] The appointment of an Italian broke with tradition, as such posts are normally assigned to members of the ethnic group they predominantly serve, such as his immediate predecessors (a Palestinian and Jordanian respectively).[15]

In 2016, Pizzaballa joined the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and became its Pro Grand Prior, and then Grand Prior upon his appointment as Latin Patriarch.[22][23][24] On 31 May 2017 he was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.[25]

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

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On 24 October 2020, Pizzaballa was appointed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem by Pope Francis.[26] He leads the board of directors of Caritas Jerusalem.[27]

Cardinal and Patriarch

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Designation as Cardinal

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On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced he planned to create him a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September 2023.[28] At that consistory, he was made Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Onofrio, the official church of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.[29]

Conclave 2025

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After the death of Pope Francis, he was considered papabile, (possible candidate to be made Pope[30]) at the 2025 papal conclave.[31][32] Analysts believe his international expertise and tendency to stay away from divisive doctrinal issues may have aided his chances, but his relatively young age could have made him being chosen as Pope unlikely.[31][33] Cardinal Robert Prevost was eventually chosen as Pope, taking the name Leo XIV.[8]

Roman Curia

[edit]

In June and July 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Pizzaballa, in addition to his role as Latin Patriarch, as a member of the Roman Curia, the Vatican's governing body. Pizzaballa was selected as a cardinal member of two dicasteries (ministries): the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which is responsible for all Catholic religious and lay orders, societies, congregations as well as institutes and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.[34][35]

Positions

[edit]

In the leadup to the 2025 papal conclave, it was described that Pizzaballa had not stated clear positions on many contentious issues within the Catholic Church. According to Crux, a newspaper focusing on the Catholic Church, Pizzaballa's stances on things like "the blessing of people in same-sex unions or the ordination of women deacons [are] something of a mystery."[36]

Arab–Israel conflict

[edit]

Pizzaballa upholds the Catholic view of the Arab–Israel conflict.[citation needed]

Pizzaballa condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas as "barbaric" and "horrific". He described the “barbarism of Hamas" as "unacceptable and incomprehensible”, saying that it had brought back "a state of war" which in its quality surpassed what had been seen in the Holy Land in recent times.[37][38] He offered himself as a hostage in exchange for Israeli children kidnapped on October 7 and held hostage in Gaza.[38][39]

At the same time, he advocated for an immediate end to the Gaza war in its early days and for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.[40] In late October 2023, he wrote that "[m]y conscience and moral duty require me" to condemn the "atrocity" that was committed on October 7. He continued that the "same conscience, however, with a great burden on my heart, leads me to state with equal clarity" that "this new cycle of violence" brought to Gaza had led to immense suffering, including for children and women. He continued: "These are tragedies that cannot be understood and which we have a duty to denounce and condemn unreservedly. The continuous heavy bombardment that has been pounding Gaza for days will only cause more death and destruction [...] It is time to stop this war, this senseless violence."[41] Pizzaballa further stated that the military campaign in Gaza won't solve the conflict.[42] He was a signatory to the 2023 "Statement on the Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza" which condemned attacks on civilians, called for de-escalation and for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.[43][44] On his visit to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve 2023, Pizzaballa donned a Palestinian keffiyeh and expressed a renewed desire for peace in the region.[45] He cosigned the Christmas message released by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem advocating Christians to refrain from public celebration of the holiday in solidarity with those affected by the war.[46]

In July 2024, speaking to a delegation from Aid to the Church in Need, the Patriarch summed up the difficulty of leading both Arab and Hebrew Catholics, saying: "The situation is so polarised that if you are close to the Palestinians, the Israelis feel betrayed, and vice-versa. When I speak of the suffering of Gaza, the Hebrew Catholics tell me about the areas which suffered in the 7 October attacks, and on the other side, the Palestinians think only of Gaza. Everybody wants to have a monopoly on the suffering"[47].

In February 2025, the Patriarch commented on the situation in the West Bank, saying that at the time a temporary ceasefire in Gaza started, military and police operations had increased in the West Bank[48]. In July of the same year, he and the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem led a delegation of Christian leaders and diplomats in a solidarity visit to Taybeh, a fully Christian town in the West Bank which had seen attacks by Israeli setllers.[49] During this visit, Cardinal Pizzaballa stated that in the West Bank, currently, the only law was that of power and not that of rights, continuing that "we must work for the law to return to this part of the country, so anyone can appeal to the law to enforce their rights."[50]

After three people were killed when an Israeli strike hit parts of the roof of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, the compound of which shelters hundreds of displaced civilians (both Christians and Muslims) and includes a home for dozens of disabled children cared for by nuns from the order of Mother Teresa, Cardinal Pizzaballa, along with the Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, was granted access into the war zone in Gaza. Pizzaballa went on to stay in the church compound from July 18 to July 20, 2025, also visiting the nearby Christian-run Al-Ahli hospital where he met doctors, nurses and patients, a Caritas medicine distribution center as well as the wider neighborhood.[51][52] He further coordinated the delivery of 500 tons of aid (consisting of food, medical and sanitary supplies) into Gaza which were only authorized for entry after the church incident.[53][54][55] Speaking on the Gaza Strip famine amid the war, Cardinal Pizzaballa said he had witnessed extreme hunger in the Strip, and described the then prevailing Israeli blocks on food and medical shipments as a "sentence" for starving Palestinians. He called the policy "unacceptable and morally unjustifiable".[56] At the same time, Pizzaballa said that it was also important "to acknowledge the solidarity [with people in Gaza] of many parts of the Israeli society" and that it was "also thanks to them we could do what we are doing, the [eventual] delivery [of aid], everything".[57]

Persecution of Christians

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In 2014, Pizzaballa, then head of all Franciscans in the Middle East, said that "what was done to the Christians and Yezidis and others" in Iraq and Syria was "shameful". He denounced ISIS (Daesh) as an "abomination" that "has to be stopped" and called upon "all religious communities to raise their voices".[58]

Interfaith dialogue

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Pizzaballa is supportive of interfaith dialogue, noting that efforts such as Pope Francis' 2020 encyclical Fratelli tutti have an "enormous impact" on Arab public consciousness even if they are not widely read.[59] Pizzaballa has also made a concerted effort to show solidarity with the Orthodox community in Israel.[citation needed]

Traditional Latin Mass

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Pizzaballa has expressed some support for the Traditional Latin Mass, the liturgy that was largely replaced by the Mass of Paul VI, but still remains popular among some in Catholicism.[60]

Other

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During his tenure as head of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, the organization put out a statement denouncing the "mockery of the mystery of the mysteries in Christianity" during the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.[61]

Honors and recognition

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Terram Sanctam visit" (PDF) (in Latin, English, and Arabic). Vatican City. 9 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Patriarch Pizzaballa takes possession of See of Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem". Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M." Cardinalium Collegii.
  4. ^ Noga Tarnopolsky (6 May 2025). "Why Pizzaballa, Jerusalem's first cardinal and an advocate for peace, could be a long-shot contender for pope". CNN.
  5. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M." Cardinalium Collegii.
  6. ^ "Who Will Be the Next Pope? Here Are Some Possible Contenders". The New York Times. New York City. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  7. ^ Sherwood, Harriet; Jones, Sam (21 April 2025). "Who will be the next pope? Some potential candidates to succeed Francis". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b Hammond, Christian Edwards, Lauren Kent, Olivia Kemp, Billy Stockwell, Maureen Chowdhury, Elise (8 May 2025). "Live updates: Conclave elects Cardinal Robert Prevost to be Pope". CNN. Retrieved 8 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Patriarch Twal hands over powers to Apostolic Administrator Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa". en.abouna.org. 15 July 2016. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018.
  10. ^ Noga Tarnopolsky (6 May 2025). "Why Pizzaballa, Jerusalem's first cardinal and an advocate for peace, could be a long-shot contender for pope". CNN. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M." Cardinalium Collegii.
  12. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa". College of Cardinals Report. 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Rinunce e nomine, 24.06.2016" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  14. ^ a b c "Right Reverend Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM". Custody of the Holy Land. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  15. ^ a b c d Allen Jr., John L. (22 September 2016). "Pope's potential masterstroke takes charge in the Holy Land". Crux. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  16. ^ "The first resident cardinal in Jerusalem's history". The Jerusalem Post - Christian World. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M." Cardinalium Collegii.
  18. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M." Cardinalium Collegii.
  19. ^ "Rinunce e nomine, 26.04.2008" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  20. ^ Bernadelli, Giorgio (11 September 2016). "Pizzaballa: 'May Jerusalem's peace be everyone's'". La Stampa. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  21. ^ Poulle, Jean-Benoît (26 April 2025). "Cónclave: ¿quién será el próximo papa? El perfil de los 19 papabiles". Le Grand Continent (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa - Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem". New York Encounter.
  23. ^ "The Grand Magisterium of the Order - Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  24. ^ "The Grand Magisterium's autumn meeting" (PDF). Newsletter of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. 44, Fall 2016: 12.
  25. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 31.05.2017" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  26. ^ "Pope appoints Archbishop Pizzaballa Patriarch of Jerusalem". Vatican News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  27. ^ "The Catholic Church Of The Holy Land » Caritas Jerusalem". The Catholic Church of the Holy Land. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  28. ^ "Le parole del Papa alla recita dell'Angelus, 09.07.2023" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  29. ^ "Assignation of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals, 30.09.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Papal front-runners: The men who could be pope | National Catholic Reporter". www.ncronline.org. Retrieved 4 May 2025. ...an Italian term for "pope-able," or possible popes...
  31. ^ a b Bubola, Emma; Povoledo, Elisabetta; Pianigiani, Gaia; MacFarquhar, Neil (21 April 2025). "Who Will Be the Next Pope? Here Are Some Possible Contenders". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Who will be pope? Meet some possible contenders". PBS News. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  33. ^ White, Christopher. "Cardinal Pizzaballa, advocate for peace, is a top candidate — but probably not at this conclave". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 4 May 2025. Pizzaballa has earned high regard for both his diplomatic savvy and business acumen.
  34. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 24.06.2025". press.vatican.va.
  35. ^ "Rinunce e nomine" (in Italian). press.vatican.va.
  36. ^ Allen, John L. Jr. (28 April 2025). "'Papabile' of the Day: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa". Crux. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem: violence the consequence of decades of no dialogue". Associated Press (AP Archive). 23 October 2023.
  38. ^ a b Giangrave, Claire (16 October 2023). "Vatican seeks to defuse tensions with Israel as it offers mediation in the Holy Land". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  39. ^ Pullella, Philip (16 October 2023). "Jerusalem Catholic Patriarch offers to be exchanged for Gaza hostages". Reuters. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Pizzaballa in Bethlehem: May Christ be born anew in this land! - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 25 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Letter to the entire diocese". Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 24 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Letter to the entire diocese". Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 24 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Vatican seeks to defuse tensions with Israel as it offers mediation in the Holy Land". National Catholic Reporter. 17 October 2023.
  44. ^ Rocca, Francis X. (18 October 2023). "Israel Protests Pope Francis' Statement on Gaza". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  45. ^ Bandini, Marinella (24 December 2023). "Israel-Hamas war casts pall over Christmas Eve vespers in Bethlehem". Bethlehem: Catholic News Agency.
  46. ^ Sudilovsky, Judith (20 December 2023). "In times of darkness, faith is all you have, says Cardinal Pizzaballa". Detroit Catholic.
  47. ^ d'Avillez, Filipe (18 July 2024). "Jerusalem: "When the wounds are still bleeding it is not the time to speak of politics," says Latin Patriarch". ACN International. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  48. ^ d'Avillez, Filipe (28 February 2025). "West Bank: "Honestly? The ceasefire has made the situation even worse"". ACN International. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  49. ^ d'Avillez, Filipe; Lozano, María (14 July 2025). "Church leaders urge Israeli authorities to stop attacks on West Bank Christians". ACN International. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  50. ^ "Orthodox leaders demand Israel investigate settler violence near West Bank church". Associated Press. 15 July 2025.
  51. ^ "Christian patriarchs make rare visit to Gaza after deadly Israeli strike on church". AP News. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  52. ^ Armellini, Alvise (18 July 2025). "Cardinal brings aid to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church". Reuters. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  53. ^ "Christian patriarchs make rare visit to Gaza after deadly Israeli strike on church". AP News. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  54. ^ Armellini, Alvise (18 July 2025). "Cardinal brings aid to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church". Reuters. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  55. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (22 July 2025). "Cardinal calls Israel's policy in Gaza 'morally unjustifiable' after visit". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  56. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (22 July 2025). "Cardinal calls Israel's policy in Gaza 'morally unjustifiable' after visit". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  57. ^ "Church leaders urge global action after rare Gaza visit". Associated Press (AP Archive). 22 July 2025.
  58. ^ "Pierbattista Pizzaballa: il potere del cuore. Ricercatori di verità". Meeting di Rimini. 24 August 2014.
  59. ^ Bertocchi, Lorenzo (10 November 2022). "Fratelli tutti non è letta nel mondo islamico, più importanti i gesti del Papa". Il Timone (in Italian). Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  60. ^ Fraga, Brian. "Traditionalist pope is unlikely, but these cardinals champion the Latin Mass". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  61. ^ "Regarding the beginning of the Olympic Games in France". Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. 28 July 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  62. ^ "Il Gran Magistero dell'Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  63. ^ "Conferment of insignia of Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion on Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa". Order of Malta. 2 May 2024.
  64. ^ "Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana". Segretariato generale della Presidenza della Repubblica. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  65. ^ "His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem Decorates the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land". Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Giovanni Battistelli
 Custode of the Holy Land
2004–2016 		Succeeded by
Francesco Patton
Preceded byas Bishop of Verbe — TITULAR —
Archbishop of Verbe
2016-2020 		Succeeded byas Bishop of Verbe
Vacant
Title last held by
Fouad Twal 		Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
2020– 		Incumbent