The plight of Christians in the Middle East is deeply concerning. Tasked with upholding the Christian presence in the Holy Land is the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Catholic chivalric order of knighthood dating back to 1099. Dr. Matthew Bunson, Vice President of EWTN News, spoke with Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, the Governor General of the Order, to uncover their initiatives. Di Modrone sheds light on the unsettling decline of Christianity in the Holy Land and the underlying causes as well as providing insights into his endeavor centered around the Palazzo della Rovere in Rome.  

Matthew Bunson: I’d like to start with a question about your vision for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.   

Leonardo Visconti di Modrone: I look at the Order of the Holy Sepulchre as a modern institution with an old story, an institution that looks at the future rather than the past. We have to keep the past as a memory, but we must remember that we must perform for the present and for the future, especially when thinking of the Holy Land. So, in some ways, I am trying to modernize the Order, but while keeping the traditions. I don’t want to impose new rules or new methods, but certainly I want to be updated with the realities and the situation in the land of Jesus.   

Matthew Bunson: What do you see are the most important goals for the Order and also for its members?  

Leonardo Visconti di Modrone: For the Order it is, of course, to maintain the Christian presence in the Holy Land, a presence that is under pressure for political reasons and economic reasons. They have suffered tremendously due to Covid in the past two years, and that is where we really make our biggest effort; that is an effort that is shared between all of the members.   

But, the Christian's presence in the Holy Land is declining – it is constantly declining – and there are many reasons for this. Like I said, these include economic, social, and also political reasons. This is something that we, as members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, try to prevent because we believe that Christian presence in the land of Our Lord is essential and maintaining of Mother Church in Jerusalem is essential for our faith.   

Matthew Bunson: What is the Order doing right now to help the Christians there?  

Leonardo Visconti di Modrone: In this very moment we are concentrating our action in collecting resources to finance pastoral and humanitarian activities. The second priority – which is equally important – is to promote education and to finance our Christian schools and University in the whole land in order to shape a new generation that is that is formed with our principles of dialogue, friendship, and mutual understanding.   

Matthew Bunson: I know you've been focused on the project here in Rome on the magnificent Palazzo della Rovere. Can you talk about that project briefly?  

Leonardo Visconti di Modrone  

This is a palazzo that was donated to the Order by Pope Pius XII. I like to recall the Parable of the Talents in the Gospel of Matthew, when the Lord leaves his home and gives several talents to his servants according to their capacity. So, what I believe is that Pope Pius XII gave this Palazzo to the Order because he thought that we were capable of doing something important with this it. That is why we are currently hiring a part of this Palazzo in order to have resources additional resources that not only will cover entirely the expenses of the current projects but will also give us other resources for the Holy Land.   

Matthew Bunson: This is very important work and I know that you have many labors ahead of you; you are in our prayers.  

Leonardo Visconti di Modrone: Thank you very much.   

Matthew Bunson: Thank you for your time, governor. 

(This interview was edited by Matthew Santucci)