Pope renews appeal for humanitarian aid, release of hostages in Gaza

At Sunday's Angelus, Pope Francis renews his appeal for the free flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and for the release of the hostages, saying every war is really a defeat.

By Vatican News

Speaking after Sunday's Angelus prayer, Pope Francis expressed his concern and grief over what is happening in Israel and Palestine.

“I am very concerned, grieved. I pray and I am close to all those who are suffering, the hostages, the wounded, the victims and their families.”

The Pope said he is very concerned over "the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza," and he was "saddened that the Anglican hospital and the Greek Orthodox parish" were hit in the war violence in recent days.

“I renew my appeal for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive and for hostages to be freed.”

"War, any war that there is in the world - I also think of martyred Ukraine ," the Pope continued, "is a defeat. War always is a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop! Stop!"

The Pope then recalled that he has called for a day of fasting, prayer and penance on Friday, 27 October.

That day, in St. Peter's, at 6 pm, there will be an hour of prayer for peace in our world.

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