Overall, the Holy See has done a sound job navigating the conflict’s diplomatic challenges. Cardinal Pizzaballa, in particular, has shown himself to be a strong leader and advocate of the civilians in Gaza who are paying dearly for Hamas’ initial barbarities. 

By contrast, the Biden administration has done little to improve the situation, largely due to deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and Gaza. Catholic Americans should hope and pray for steadier political leadership going forward, as the U.S. almost certainly will retain its traditional role of brokering a Mideast peace settlement when the combatants on both sides finally become open to securing a cease-fire. 

But politics alone can never accomplish a lasting peace in the Holy Land, given the seemingly unbridgeable divide between the aspirations of the Israelis and the Palestinians. A profound spiritual change of hearts is the only way to replace this logic of war with a logic of peace. And it’s in this context that an authentically Christian witness can be of greatest service.