Pope Francis reiterated his concern about the conflict between Israel and Palestine and again called for the release of the hostages. “I renew my appeal for humanitarian corridors, so that humanitarian aid continues to arrive and so that the hostages are released”, appealed the Catholic leader on Sunday, after midday prayer at the Vatican.
The radical Islamic group Hamas attacked Israel with rockets on October 7 and kidnapped more than 200 people. The Israeli government then declared a state of war and launched reprisal attacks in the Gaza Strip. An Anglican hospital was also hit in Gaza – with both sides blaming each other. An Orthodox church in Gaza was also destroyed. To this, Pope Francis said:
“Dear brothers and sisters. I think again about what is happening in Israel and Palestine. I am very worried and suffering. I pray and am close to all those who suffer, to all the victims and hostages and their families. I think about the terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza and it pains me that an Anglican hospital and an Orthodox church have been hit in recent days. I renew my call for humanitarian corridors, so that humanitarian aid continues to arrive and so that the hostages are released.”
“I think about the terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza and it pains me that an Anglican hospital and an Orthodox church have been hit in recent days.”
It was only this Saturday morning (October 21) that the Rafah Egyptian border crossing was opened for the first time since the escalation of violence, around 14 days ago, through which the first aid deliveries arrived to the Gaza Strip. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 20 trucks transported medical supplies and essential goods to 300,000 people over three months. After the crossing, the border crossing would have been closed again.
After midday prayer in St. Peter’s Square this Sunday, Pope Francis condemned all wars and called for an end to violence:
“A war is always a defeat, it destroys human fraternity. Brothers, stop it, stop it!
“Every war in the world, I also think about the martyred Ukraine, is always a defeat. A war is always a defeat; destroys human fraternity. Brothers, stop it, stop it! I remember that I scheduled a day of repentance, prayer and fasting for next Friday, October 27th. At 6pm we will pray for world peace for one hour in St. Peter’s Square,” Pope Francis also invited everyone to join him in praying for peace.
Middle East peace conference without results
A first international peace conference during the Middle East conflict took place this weekend in Egypt’s capital, Cairo; but it ended without result. Meanwhile, on Sunday night, according to media reports, the Israeli army attacked numerous additional targets that it said were being used by opposition militants. According to reports, sites in the Gaza Strip, a mosque in the occupied West Bank, targets in southern Lebanon and apparently two airports in Syria were affected.
(Vatican agencies/news – sst)