(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 10.29.2023).- 22 days after the start of the military escalation in Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis raised his voice once again on Sunday, October 29, from St. Peter’s Square.
After praying the Angelus with around 20,000 pilgrims present in the Square, the Pontiff expressed gratitude «to all those who, in many places and in various ways, joined in the Day of fasting, prayer, and penance that we observed last Friday, praying for peace in the world.»
Francis invited everyone not to give up, saying, «Let us continue to pray for Ukraine and also for the dire situation in Palestine and Israel, as well as other regions in conflict.»
Specifically, Pope Francis called for «In Gaza, in particular, to create space to ensure humanitarian aid and for the immediate release of hostages. Let no one give up the possibility of stopping the weapons. Let the cease-fire begin.»
The Pope mentioned that he had just listened to the program «A Su Imagen» on Italian public television, where Father Ibrahim Faltas, the vicar for the Holy Land, called for «Ceasefire! Ceasefire!» In this context, the Pope added, «We, too, along with Father Ibrahim, say: Ceasefire! Stop, brothers and sisters! War is always a defeat, always!»
Finally, the Pope had some words for those affected by a hurricane in Mexico: «I stand with the people in the Acapulco area of Mexico, hit by a very strong hurricane. I pray for the victims, their families, and those who have suffered serious damage. May Our Lady of Guadalupe support her children in this trial.»
