The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has been awarded France’s highest honour, for his efforts to promote peace in the Middle East.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was presented with the Legion of Honour by President Emmanuel Macron.
In a social media post, President Macron said: “As civilian populations—and among them, the Christians of the Holy Land—are caught up in the turmoil of war, I wanted to honor, through this gesture, this tireless apostle of interreligious dialogue, justice, and peace, and to express the Republic's gratitude for his courage and humanity.
“In keeping with its historic responsibilities, France remains committed to the Christians of the Holy Land, and to all the peoples of the Middle East. On this occasion, I reaffirmed to Cardinal Pizzaballa our unwavering commitment to respecting the status quo on Jerusalem's holy sites.
“Only tolerance and religious diversity can make possible the peace that this region of the world so desperately needs”, he concluded.
Cardinal Pizzaballa was received at the Élysée Palace by President Macron on Tuesday, as part of his visit to France.