Pope Expresses Great Concern Over Middle East Situation, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

Demand General Audience Document: Iran-Israel Related Message

Pope Francis repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire amid the tense and volatile situation in the Middle East. This came as Palestinian armed faction leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, the capital of Iran, prompting Iran to announce retaliatory attacks against Israel, raising concerns.

Pope Francis [Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

According to Vatican News, the official media of the Holy See, on the 7th (local time), the Pope stated this during the Wednesday General Audience held at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. "I continue to watch the situation in the Middle East with great concern," he said.

He added, "I once again appeal to all parties involved to ensure that the humanitarian situation, which is very serious and unsustainable starting with the Gaza Strip, does not escalate into conflict on all fronts and that an immediate ceasefire can be achieved." He further said, "I pray that true peace will be sought to end the conflict, that love will overcome hatred, and that revenge will be disarmed by forgiveness."

The Pope resumed the Wednesday General Audience on this day after it had been suspended during his month-long vacation in July. Earlier, on the 4th, during the Sunday Angelus prayer at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, he condemned violence and expressed deep concern over the spread of war.

Referring to the worsening Middle East situation due to the anticipated direct confrontation between Israel and Iran, the Pope emphasized, "This violent and blood-soaked war must not escalate any further."

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