Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and the president of the Vatican, said that space should be opened for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the release of the hostages, and called for a ceasefire.
The pope, speaking during the traditional Sunday prayer from his office window overlooking St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, touched on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after the prayer.
Stating that they continue to pray for the serious situation in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel and other regions at war, Pope Francis said: “Especially in Gaza, space should be opened for the provision of humanitarian aid, the hostages should be released immediately. The possibility of laying down arms should not be given up. Cease fire!”
Stating that he had just listened to priest Ibrahim Faltas, who works in the Middle East, the Pope said: “Together with priest Faltas, we say: cease fire!” Stop, my brothers. War is always defeat.”
The Pope recalled that on October 27, he held a day of fasting and prayer for world peace in the Vatican, and thanked those who joined him in this prayer in several places and in different ways.
8,005 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, the Ministry of Health in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Sunday.
The ministry stated that 3,342 children, 2,062 women and 460 elderly people were killed.
Some 2.3 million Gazans are struggling with food, water and medicine shortages due to massive Israeli aerial bombardment and a complete blockade of the enclave, AA reports.
