Vatican City, November 5, 2023 (KAP) Pope Francis has once again urgently called for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. Everything must be done to end the conflict, said the head of the Catholic Church in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. He pointed to the “serious humanitarian situation” in the Gaza Strip and called for opportunities to deliver aid.
At the same time, he again demanded the immediate release of all Israeli hostages. There are also many children among them. They would have to return to their families. The future of so many children would be death in wars – including in Ukraine and other conflict areas.
Practice what you preach to others
Pope Francis also called on people to take more credible action during midday prayer. He particularly warned representatives of the Church and politics against “duplicity”. Saying one thing and doing another puts your credibility as a human being and also as a Christian at risk, he said. Especially in positions of responsibility, there is always an obligation to first practice what you preach to others.
The Pope also warned against the constant effort to “save face” – to give priority to what is external over what is truly internal. Many people paint their faces, their lives, their hearts and don’t know how to live the truth. Christians, in particular, should ask themselves whether they are concerned only with external perfection or whether they really care about their inner life.
After the Angelus prayer, Francis also expressed his closeness to people in other regions of the world. He prays for people affected by the earthquake in Nepal, as well as Afghan refugees in Pakistan. In his prayer, the Pope also included the victims of the floods in Italy and other countries.