Pope renews call for Holy Land ceasefire, two state solution

Vatican Media

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis has renewed calls for a ceasefire in the Holy Land and in other wars around the globe. He said: "There was the Oslo agreement - so clear - with the solution of the two states. Until that agreement is applied, true peace remains distant."

In an interview with Domenico Agasso, for the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, published on Monday, Pope Francis spoke of the many ongoing conflicts around the world and called everyone to pray for peace, expressing his belief that dialogue is the only path toward a peaceful future.

Pope Francis said all parties must "immediately stop the bombs and missiles and end hostile attitudes. Everywhere."

The Pope explained his opposition to defining any war as "just," preferring to say it is legitimate to defend oneself but said it is necessary to avoid "justifying wars, which are always wrong."

He expressed his fear of a military escalation across the Middle East, but said he has some hope "because confidential meetings are taking place to try to reach an agreement. A truce would already be a good result."

Pope Francis said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is "a crucial figure" who ir trying to mediate.

He said he speaks by video call with the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza every day, adding that the "liberation of Israeli hostages" is a priority.

Regarding Ukraine, the Pope recalled the task entrusted to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the president of the Italian Bishops' Conference.

"The Holy See is trying to mediate an exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian civilians," said Pope Francis. "In particular, we are working with Mrs Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian commissioner for children's rights, for the repatriation of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia. Some have already returned to their families."

In the interview, Pope Francis then spoke about the Declaration Fiducia supplicans that allows for blessings of persons in irregular or same-sex couples.

"The Gospel is to sanctify everyone," he said. "Of course, there must be goodwill. And it is necessary to give precise instructions on the Christian life (I emphasize that it is not the union that is blessed, but the persons). But we are all sinners: why should we make a list of sinners who can enter the Church and a list of sinners who cannot be in the Church? This is not the Gospel."

Regarding criticisms of the document, the Pope noted that "those who vehemently protest belong to small ideological groups."

The Church in Africa he said was "a special case," because homosexuality is not accepted in African cultures.

However, he added, "I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured about the spirit of the declaration," which "aims to include, not divide. It invites us to welcome and then entrust people, and to trust in God."

Pope Francis admitted to sometimes feeling alone, "but I still always strive ahead, day after day," adding that he does not fear schisms.

"In the Church, there have always been small groups that manifest reflections of a schismatic nature. One must let them carry on and pass away... and look ahead."