Pierbattista Pizzaballa gave a lecture entitled "Role of Catholic Church in Holy Land" at University of Split’s Catholic Faculty of Theology.

Prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D., University of Split’s rector, spoke about the Latin (Roman Catholic) Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, noting that he agreed to come when invited a year ago during University of Split delegation’s stay in Holy Land. Rector expressed his gratitude to patriarch Pizzaballa for his time, noting that his visit was a great honor.

- We are talking about a great man, known throughout the world for his fight for peace and understanding between nations, peoples and religions. This is important and can best be seen in Jerusalem, at the very origin - Rector Ljutić asserted. He referred to the fact that despite small number of Catholics, and Christians in general, living in the Holy Land, the patriarch enjoys understanding and respect from all peoples, an immense wealth for him personally, but also for our Church and humanity as a whole.

In his lecture, Patriarch Pizzaballa spoke about the Latin Patriarchate, diocese covering four different countries: Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Cyprus, and the tasks it has there.

Holy Land is sacred for Christians and our vision is to be open to all differences and foster mutual understanding and coexistence - Pizzaballa said, explaining how, in addition to religious life, he also coordinates Church and its institutions’ activities in society and, broadly speaking, political life. The church takes care of pilgrims and preforms charity in terms of education and medical care.

Church’s biggest role is being present in those areas and persisting in efforts for peace, forgiveness and coexistence of people there.