France's President Emmanuel Macron Awards Cardinal Pizzaballa for Promoting Peace in the Holy Land - Urging Tolerance and Interreligious Dialogue

France's President Emmanuel Macron awarded the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the French Legion of Honor, in recognition of his role in promoting interfaith dialogue and defending the values ​​of justice and peace in the Holy Land.
During his official visit to France from June 8 to 14, 2026, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was received on June 9 at the Conference of Bishops of France. He was accompanied by Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine, and Father Davide Meli, Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. On this occasion, the Cardinal met with members of the Holy Land Platform, which brings together seven organizations: Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Delegation for Cooperation (DCC), CCFD-Terre Solidaire, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem/France, the Order of Malta, and L'Œuvre d'Orient.

These discussions provided an opportunity to assess the situation in the Holy Land, to present the actions already undertaken by the dioceses and partner organizations, and to gather the Patriarch's advice: "Our mission there," he affirmed, "is not so much to find solutions as to ensure a Christian and human presence for all." 

President Macron wrote on X: I presented the insignias of the Legion of Honor to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa. 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.

This meeting follows the decision made by the bishops, gathered in Plenary Assembly in November 2025, to strengthen their support for the Holy Land through a spiritual, fraternal, and financial commitment. The Cardinal's visit to Paris, from June 8 to 10, also provided an opportunity to meet with the faithful, representatives of the Eastern Churches, and various ecclesiastical, cultural, and institutional leaders. The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, also presented Cardinal Pizzaballa with the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Interview with the Catholic spiritual leader of Jerusalem - 

I don't know if you're going to have a solution shortly. But it doesn't mean that there is no hope. In our land we are living a very complex situation since many years, but in the last years much more than usual. And it's very difficult sometimes to talk about hope, perspective, future, and and so on.

But on this is very important for us as church to have clear ideas. We have not to confuse hope with a political or social solution. I don't know if you're going to have a solution shortly. But it doesn't mean that there is no hope. For us church, for us Christians, the foundation of hope is the risen Lord Jesus Christ who is the risen from the dead.

 And this should become also our life, our testimony, our way to witness our faith in the reality, very complex reality we are living in. In actions, in words, in design, relations to keep the dialogue open to all, not to have enemies. So to do all what is possible, not just to save the physical life, but also the spiritual life of the peoples and ourselves also.

 Not only simple because I am a human being also. But anyway, there are two main things. First is the prayer. Prayer doesn't change the things, but change the way I see things. And the first passage of for the hope is to see things differently in a different light, the light of faith of course, the light of Jesus, the direction and country of Jesus.

 The second element is the people. When I visit the people, especially in the parish, the poor people, the simple ones, I see their resilience, their attitude, their desire, their expectations, especially youth. This gives me hope. For them, it deserves to spend a life. The church is present in the Holy Land. We don't have to fill a role, but we have to be ourselves.

The reason that of the church is Jesus Christ. First of all, testify our faith, our love for Jesus Christ. And then to create opportunities of encounter, of dialogue, all what is possible to bring a serene attitude and a positive gaze on the others. We have to be there. And to make network, to work all with all those who are desiring to do something positive for the other.

Sources: Embedded Description and Transcript and President Macron on X