Church Leaders in Jerusalem Encourage Pilgrims to Return
Fr. Francesco Ielpo, Custos of the Holy Land
Fr. Francesco Ielpo is the Franciscan Custos responsible for the Holy Places visited in the Holy Land. In January and February 2026, he called upon Christians to resume pilgrimages.
He emphasized that visiting the Holy Land is not simply about exploring historical monuments. It is an encounter with a living Christian community whose faith continues despite extraordinary challenges.
The return of pilgrims supports local families, guides, accommodations, and businesses that depend on religious tourism. It also sends a powerful message of solidarity to Christians who continue to preserve their presence in the land where Christianity began.
Read the Vatican News article reporting on the importance of pilgrims returning to support local Christian communities.