Pope Leo called today, Aug. 27, for “a permanent ceasefire” and “an end to the conflict in the Holy Land,” which, he said, “has caused so much terror, destruction and death.”
Though he did not name Israel or Hamas, he called on “the parties involved” and “the international community” to bring an end to the conflict that has gone on for almost two years.
In nearly 700 days of war, Israeli forces have killed 62,622 Palestinians, including some 18,000 children, and injured more than 157,673. An estimated 1,983 Israelis have also died in the war that started when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The figures for Palestinian deaths are provided by the Gaza Ministry of Health and are regarded as generally reliable by the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
“I appeal for all hostages to be freed,” Pope Leo said, referring to the 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, who are still believed to be alive.
According to media reports, an estimated 350,000 Israelis protested in Tel Aviv and other parts of the country yesterday, demanding that the Netanyahu government agree to a ceasefire to obtain freedom for the hostages, but so far the protests have failed to convince the far-right-wing government to change course.
Pope Leo called for “a permanent ceasefire to be reached” and “the safe entry of humanitarian aid [to Gaza] to be facilitated.” An estimated 281people, including 114 children, are now reported to have starved to death in the enclave, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The pope called for “humanitarian law to be fully respected—especially the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions against collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations.”
Pope Leo said he endorsed the joint statement issued yesterday by the Greek Catholic and Latin patriarchs of Jerusalem, Patriarch Theophilus III and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who called for “an end to the spiral of violence, and end to the war, and that priority [be given] to the common good of the people.”
The American-born pope ended his appeal, which drew applause several times, by urging the thousands of pilgrims present in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall to join him in imploring Mary, Queen of Peace, source of consolation and hope: “May her intercession obtain reconciliation and peace in that land so dear to all!”
His appeal today was a follow-up to the day of prayer and fasting for peace for countries hit by conflict. It came as governments, as well as political and religious leaders worldwide, are calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza.
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