Pope Francis on Sunday, November 05, renewed his call for an end to the Hamas-Israel conflict. The Pope further urged for the release of hostages.
Pope Francis has also called for humanitarian aid for Gaza, describing the situation as “very serious”.
“I continue to think about the serious situation in Palestine and in Israel where many people have lost their lives,” he said after the traditional Angelus prayer at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.
The Pope also said, “I beg you in the name of God to stop, cease fire.”
“I hope all the possibilities are being explored so that a widening of the conflict is absolutely avoided, that the wounded can be helped, and that aid can reach Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is very serious, and that the hostages be immediately released.”
Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people. They also took 240 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The attack is seen as one of the deadliest attacks in the country’s history.
Israel has relentlessly bombarded the besieged Gaza Strip in response. The bombings have killed more than 9,770 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The pope has previously pleaded for an end to the conflict. He has also called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip.
He spoke to US President Joe Biden last month about “conflict situations in the world and the need to identify paths to peace”, according to the Vatican.