At the end of his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis launched an urgent appeal for peace in the Middle East. He expressed his sorrow for the suffering of the innocent people on the Israeli side, who suffered from the surprise attacks and were taken hostage.
POPE FRANCIS
I pray for the families who have seen a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning and ask that the hostages be released immediately.
The Pope also called on Israel to exercise moderation in its response, which he described as excessive.
POPE FRANCIS
It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very concerned about the total siege in which Palestinians live in gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims.
Pope Francis concluded with a general appeal for peace in the Middle East.
POPE FRANCIS
Terrorism and extremism do not help reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians but rather fuel hatred, violence, revenge and only make both sides suffer. The Middle East does not need war but peace: a peace built on justice, dialogue and the courage of fraternity.
During the Audience, the Pope also appealed for help in Afghanistan, following the devastating earthquake that has left thousands of people displaced, adding another catastrophe to the list of disasters the country has faced in the last few years.
JRB
TR: KG
