Pope Francis and the President of Turkey, Recep Erdoğan, spoke over the phone to discuss the current crisis in the Middle East.
Who took the initiative is not yet known, and the Vatican has not shared what the Pope said.
The Turkish news agency, Anadolu, states that President Erdogan asked for the Pope's help in stopping what he calls Israel's 'massacre' against Palestinians.
Both the Vatican and Turkey are resorting to their diplomatic strength to stop the ongoing conflict.
POPE FRANCIS
'Do we really intend to build peace by destroying others? In the name of God, who created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and called them to live together as brothers, I am calling for calm and for those responsible to end the use of arms and to embark on the path of peace'.
Erdogan is mobilizing several leaders of Muslim countries for support. He has told the Pope that Israel's attacks have been against Muslims and Christians in Palestine, as well as against all of humanity.
He has noted that the attacks have been on religious sites.
For his part, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, is urging the international community to stop the conflict before it is too late.
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
Secretary-General, United Nations
“This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The status quo at the holy sites must be upheld and respected'.
The crisis was also discussed during the Pope's meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Javier Romero
TR: JM
RR
