Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore were part of a delegation of Catholic leaders who traveled to Jerusalem, the Palestinian West Bank and Israel from Sept. 2-6, in an expression of solidarity with Catholics and all those suffering from the effects of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Accompanied by Supreme Secretary John Marrella, they joined Msgr. Peter Vaccari, president of Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission, and other CNEWA representatives.
“The time of this pilgrimage was chosen precisely because there is need here in the Holy Land for people to come from elsewhere to show that they care, to show that we are in solidarity, that we want to learn and understand, and also that we want to help,” said Archbishop Lori, who also serves as vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The voyage coincided with the 2025 Jubilee Year, which bears the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“For us, it was a mission of hope and of solidarity with those who are suffering, and I think it’s especially poignant that we’re here in the Jubilee Year of Hope,” said Supreme Knight Kelly. “Since our founding, we have assisted the vulnerable. Our hope is to explore some of the areas where the Knights of Columbus could provide assistance here.”
The most recent wave of conflict in the Holy Land began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants, operating out of Gaza, attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking 250 hostages. Israel responded with airstrikes, artillery bombardments and armed incursions into Gaza. As of Sept. 4, the Gaza Health Ministry — considered a reliable source of casualty data by independent observers — reported that over 64,000 people had been killed, estimating that half were women and children. Food shortages, lack of medical care and widespread displacement have also resulted from the Israeli offensive.
The Supreme Officers’ visit included meetings with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem; Father Francesco Ielpo, OFM, custos of the Holy Land; and Josef Blotz, grand hospitaller of the Order of Malta. They also participated in liturgies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
Just a week before the visit, on Aug. 26, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, issued a joint statement in which they condemned the Israeli government’s stated intention to occupy Gaza City and evacuate residents. “We can only repeat what we have already said: There can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge,” the patriarchs wrote.
The following day, Pope Leo echoed these sentiments following his Wednesday general audience. “I implore that all the hostages be freed, that a permanent ceasefire be reached, that the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and that humanitarian law be fully respected — especially the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions of collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of the population,” the pope said.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, also called for “the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States” in the region in an Aug. 20 letter to U.S. bishops.
Echoing the concerns of the global Church, the K of C/CNEWA delegation came bearing “a message of solidarity and hope to those who are suffering and in need in the great humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip,” said Archbishop Lori. “We all come together — CNEWA, the Knights of Columbus, the bishops’ conference; we are, you might say, united in hope, but also united in charity.”
Accordingly, the delegation also made visits of solidarity to several Christian communities in need, including Bethlehem’s Piccirillo Handicraft Center, where artisans with special needs craft products from Holy Land olive trees; the St. Nicholas Home in Beit Jala, a predominantly Palestinian Christian town in the West Bank, where they met with elderly and infirm residents; and the Latin Patriarchate Seminary, also in Beit Jala.
Despite the conflict wracking the region, these Christian communities continue to be a sign of hope, Archbishop Lori said. “Even in this time of struggle, when there is so much deprivation, so much injustice, so many challenges just to be the Church in this land made holy — there are heroic people doing tremendously important and beautiful ministries, and my admiration for them knows no bounds,” the supreme chaplain added.
At the Holy Family Children’s Home in Bethlehem, operated by the Daughters of Charity, the supreme knight and supreme chaplain stopped to cradle some of the home’s infant residents in their arms as they toured the facilities.
“That mission of care really touched our hearts,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “I think that’s one of the ways the Knights of Columbus can assist here — helping these courageous sisters who are doing that wonderful work.”
During a recording of CNEWA’s “Connections with Msgr. Peter” video podcast, Supreme Secretary Marrella reflected on the connection between the charity displayed by Christian communities and the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
“What has impressed me is how you and your staff are the presence of Christ,” the supreme secretary told Msgr. Vaccari. “You’re carrying that [presence] — along with the Daughters of Charity and other religious orders that we visited. They are the face of Christ here.”