During a gathering in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City on Sunday, Pope Francis reiterated his plea for peace in both the Middle East and Ukraine.
“I renew my appeal not to succumb to the logic of warfare,” Francis conveyed to the assembled audience.
Pope Francis continued, “I pray daily for peace in Palestine and Israel, and I hope that these two peoples can soon find relief from their suffering. Let us also not forget Ukraine, which continues to endure great suffering due to the ongoing conflict.”
Tensions in the region have escalated since the commencement of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7th. The conflict began when Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both militant groups supported by Iran, initiated a cross-border attack resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals in Israel and the abduction of 250 others.
In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza, resulting in extensive destruction and claiming the lives of over 33,900 people, as reported by local health officials.
Pope Francis’s advocacy for peace underscores the critical need for diplomatic solutions to resolve conflicts and alleviate the suffering of affected populations.