Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem visits Gaza City

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem visited Gaza City, his church said, where he delivered a "message of hope, solidarity and support" to the people in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said that Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa "entered Gaza and reached the parish of the Holy Family for a pastoral visit".

The archbishop presided over a mass and paid a courtesy visit to another parish, and the Patriarchate said he "met the suffering population to encourage them and to deliver a message of hope, solidarity, and support".

The visit was the vist stage of a humanitarian mission to deliver aid which includes food and medical assistance to people in Gaza.

Over three percent of Gaza's tiny Christian population of 1,000 have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza, and 80 percent of their homes have been destoryed.