Gaza’s small Christian community is mourning Pope Francis, who became their spiritual lifeline during Israel’s devastating military offensive, phoning them nightly to offer solace and prayers for peace.

“We lost a saint who taught us courage, patience, and strength every single day,” said George Antone, 44, head of the emergency committee at Gaza’s Holy Family Church, in an interview with Reuters.

The pontiff first called the church just hours after Israel’s assault began in October 2023, initiating what the Vatican News Service described as a daily ritual of solidarity. Antone recalled how Francis made sure to speak not only to the priest but to every person gathered in the church, reassuring them: “I am with you, don’t be afraid.”

As Gaza’s Christians grapple with loss—both from the war and now the death of their spiritual comforter—they remember a pope who refused to let them suffer in silence. His nightly calls became a beacon of hope in a besieged enclave where more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed and survivors endure relentless bombardment, starvation, and displacement.

Francis was a vocal advocate for a Gaza ceasefire, condemning the war’s brutality and pleading for humanitarian aid. For Gaza’s Christians, his passing marks the loss of a leader who, even from afar, made sure they were never forgotten.