VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal Raymond Burke echoed Pope Leo’s condemnation of the situation in Gaza, saying it is “unjust” for Christians to be “forced to leave their homeland.”

“The work carried out in the (Gaza) Strip by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is invaluable, as he bears witness to faith in a concrete way by pointing out to those involved the possible solutions offered by faith,” Burke said recently.

Cardinal Pizzaballa has been based in the Holy Land for 30 years, first as a student, next as Custos of the Holy Land for 12 years, then serving as Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate for four years, and now Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020.

Since being made cardinal by Pope Francis in September 2023, coinciding with the resurgence of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, his voice has become a regular feature on the international stage calling for peace.

His now-famous offer to be exchanged for Israeli hostages held by Hamas has been supported by his stance advocating for peace in the region generally while also advocating for the rights of Catholics and Christians in the region.

“As pastor of my community, I have to do all that is possible to save my people, and to stop this nonsense war,” Pizzaballa said when asked by LifeSiteNews what inspired him to offer himself as an exchange.

Echoing the patriarch’s themes, Burke commented:

It is unacceptable that each generation should relive the same hostilities with terrible attacks on civilians and the atrocious suffering of families and children. What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.

In recent days, mixed messages emerged about a mandatory evacuation order for the Catholic parish in Gaza. The latest word from the parish priest on August 19 was that no such order had arrived, but on August 20 the Latin Patriarchate said that the situation was “rapidly evolving” with several areas in the city near to the church having been given evacuation orders by Israeli forces.

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says this morning it “is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Gaza City, particularly in light of recent decisions and the ongoing mobilization towards an imminent invasion.” —

Reports received from our parish of the Holy Family… https://t.co/YLj03duhT6 pic.twitter.com/LkKmpWEm8l