Cardinal Pizzaballa Visits Metro Detroit
Cardinal Pizzaballa Visits Metro Detroit as Local Catholics, Including Chaldeans, Rally Support for Holy Land Relief
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and one of the world’s most influential Catholic leaders, arrived in metro Detroit this week to raise awareness and support for families struggling in the Holy Land after two years of devastating conflict. His visit drew strong participation from Michigan’s Catholic and Chaldean communities, who have mobilized significant humanitarian assistance in recent months.
Local Catholics have raised more than half a million dollars in recent days to support the Patriarchate’s relief work, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit. That support is in addition to the $533,000 donated earlier this year for Gaza relief efforts distributed through Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
As part of his visit, Pizzaballa met with community members, attended fundraisers, and celebrated Mass on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak. He also appeared alongside Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger and Bishop Francis Kalabat, leader of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle, USA, in a joint press conference at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth Township.
Pizzaballa oversees Catholic communities across Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, and Cyprus—including Holy Family Church in Gaza, which was bombed during the war. The Catholic population in Gaza has dropped from 1,017 to 541 since October 2023. He described conditions on the ground as “catastrophic,” noting the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and basic infrastructure.
The Patriarch emphasized his role as a bridge-builder in a region where Christians are a minority, calling on people of all faiths to resist prejudice and reject extremism. “We have extremists in all our communities,” he said, urging a greater focus on relationships that transcend political divides. Bishop Kalabat echoed the sentiment, noting that while Iraqi Christians suffered under ISIS and other radical groups, many Muslims have also risked their lives to help protect Christians and Jews.
Pizzaballa’s visit comes as concerns rise about the future of Christians in the Middle East, including in Iraq, where the Chaldean community continues to face political pressure and economic instability. Michigan, home to the largest Chaldean population in the United States, has long served as a center of advocacy and support for Christians in the region.
The Patriarch also addressed tensions in Dearborn following anti-Islam protests led by out-of-state activists earlier this year. He condemned the rhetoric and actions of extremists, saying religious leaders must speak clearly against hatred and work together to isolate radical voices. Local Catholic and Muslim leaders have publicly reaffirmed their longstanding relationships, including through joint statements following the protests.
Pizzaballa acknowledged the deep political challenges facing the Middle East but encouraged people not to lose hope. Political solutions may be distant, he said, but progress can still be made through community action, civic engagement, and interfaith collaboration. Archbishop Weisenburger added that Americans have a responsibility to support reconstruction efforts in Gaza, given the U.S. role in the conflict’s destruction.
During his time in metro Detroit, Pizzaballa also attended a fundraiser hosted by the Chaldean Diocese and supported by the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield.
As the humanitarian crisis continues, Michigan’s Chaldean and Catholic communities remain deeply engaged in providing relief and advocating for peace across the region.