On Wednesday, the Pope recalled the recent Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace, saying, “Today I renew a strong appeal both to the parties involved and to the international community, that an end be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death.” He urged the release of hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and protection for non-combatants, says Vatican News.
“I appeal for all hostages to be freed, a permanent ceasefire to be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid to be facilitated, and humanitarian law to be fully respected—especially the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions against collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations,” the Pope said.
The Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III had issued their joint statement the previous day, denouncing “the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians” and urging an end to the cycle of violence.
“There has been enough devastation, in the territories and in people’s lives,” they said.
