Pope appeals for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Screenshot

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis issued another heartfelt appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, on Sunday. Speaking during the Angelus in St Peter's Square, he said: "Every day, in my heart, I carry the pain and suffering of the populations in Palestine and Israel due to the ongoing hostilities."

Expressing grief for "the thousands of dead, the wounded, the displaced, the immense destruction that wreaks pain and suffering on the small and defenceless who see their future compromised." Pope Francis called on all men and women of goodwill to raise their cry for peace.

"Do we really think we are building a better world in this way? .. Enough, please. Let us all say: Enough, please!" he repeated: "Stop the war."

"Let us all say: "Enough", please!"

The Pope continued with an appeal to continue negotiations for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and throughout the region, "so that the hostages may be freed and return to their anxiously awaiting loved ones, and so that the civilian population may have safe access to necessary and urgent humanitarian aid."

"I encourage the continuation of negotiations for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and throughout the region."

And please, he concluded: "Don't forget tormented Ukraine, where many people die every day. It is a place of great sorrow."

Pope Francis' appeal on the Third Sunday of Lent is just the latest in many he has issued since 7 October 2023.

There are still 130 Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas, with over 30 of them feared dead.

The death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes on the Gaza strip has exceeded 30,000, with many thousands more missing. More than 70,000 people have been injured, while there is very limited medical available, as all the hospitals have been bombed and are desperately short of medical supplies. More than 1.3 million people have been displaced and facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. Two-thirds of them are women and children.

The head of the Norwegian Refugee Council who has just returned from Gaza has said there is now a famine in the north of the territory. Yan Egerlund told the BBC that he had been prepared for a nightmare, but what he saw was much worse. He said that was because Israel was not opening nearby border crossings to let aid in. He also condemned the United States, Germany and the UK for selling weapons to Israel.

During his Angelus address Pope Francis also mentioned the upcoming International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness challenging our family of nations to be bold and work for disarmament.

At a time in which military and arms spending is soaring due to the many conflicts afflicting the world, the Holy Father urged all members of "the great family of nations" to be courageous and work for disarmament.

He recalled that on March 5, the second International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed.

"How many resources are wasted on military expenses that, due to the current situation, sadly continue to increase!" He expressed his hope for a shift in mindset and investments.

"I strongly hope that the international community understands that disarmament is, above all, a duty: disarmament is a moral obligation... Disarmament is a duty: a moral obligation.".. "We need to engrave this in our minds!"

"This requires courage from all members of the great family of nations: to shift from the balance of fear to a balance of trust."

Watch Vatican News Youtube report on Sunday's Angelus: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfkh0jaGg5Y

Read the text of Pope Francis' address: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/03/03/0184/00381.html