Pope Francis often used his public pulpit to express his deep love and concern for the poor and marginalized, particularly refugees, the imprisoned and those suffering due to others’ slavish pursuit of wealth and power. This perhaps explains why the Middle East was frequently on the late pope’s mind and agenda. His travels to the region were extensive, having visited Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Türkiye, Egypt, the UAE, Morocco, Iraq and Bahrain.

These trips, while highly significant and important, are not Francis’ enduring legacy vis-à-vis the region. 

Francis will be most remembered in the Middle East for his private and public solidarity with the people of Gaza. After Francis’ death, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, tasked by Rome with the challenge of representing and serving the Church in both Israel and Palestine (as well as Jordan), described Gaza as “one of the symbols of his pontificate.”

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