Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 17, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GooglePope Leo condemns the dire conditions in Gaza, urging a truce and diplomatic solutions to the Israel-Hamas conflict, while expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Leo on Wednesday denounced the "unacceptable" conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, voicing solidarity with civilians and renewing his appeal for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
"I express my deep closeness to the Palestinian people in Gaza, who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, forced once again to leave their land," the pope said in his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
Israel launched a major ground assault on Gaza City on Tuesday, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes amidst what residents said was the heaviest bombardment in two years of war.
The pope renewed his call for a truce, for the freeing of hostages held in Gaza, and for a negotiated diplomatic solution to the conflict. He urged the faithful to join him in prayer "that a dawn of peace and justice may soon arise".
Leo, elected the first U.S. pope in May, has been stepping up his calls for a halt to the war in Gaza in recent weeks.
Earlier this month the pope met Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Vatican. In an unusually lengthy statement afterwards, the Vatican said Leo had lamented the "tragic situation in Gaza" with Herzog.
(Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Pope Leo denounced the 'unacceptable' conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, expressing solidarity with civilians and calling for a ceasefire.
Israel launched a major ground assault on Gaza City, which has led to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes amidst intense bombardment.
The Pope has renewed his call for a truce, the freeing of hostages, and a negotiated diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict.
Earlier this month, Pope Leo met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Vatican, where they discussed the tragic situation in Gaza.
Pope Leo has been increasingly vocal in his calls for a halt to the war in Gaza, emphasizing the need for peace and humanitarian support.
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