2023-10-18 11:47:12
Pope Francis called on Wednesday October 18 to “do everything possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”expressing his concern about a “possible widening of the conflict”.
“Casualties are increasing, and the situation in Gaza is desperate. Please do everything possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe,” launched the Argentine pope at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
“The possible widening of the conflict is worrying, while many conflicts around the world are already underway. Let the weapons be silent, let the cry for peace of the poor, of the people, of the children be heard,” he added.
“War erases the future”
The pope did not mention the strike on a Gaza hospital on Tuesday evening, for which Israel and the Palestinians blame each other and which left hundreds dead and provoked international condemnation and demonstrations across the world.
“War does not solve any problem, it only sows death and destruction. It increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future, Francis insisted in front of the thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square. “I urge believers to take only one side in this conflict: that of peace. »
The pope also invited Christians of all faiths and believers of other religions to a day of prayer for peace on October 27.
Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State (number two in the Holy See), has proposed Vatican mediation in the conflict and has visited the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors in recent days.
On Sunday, the Pope launched a call for openness ” urgent “ humanitarian corridors for the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, bombed and besieged by Israel. The day after the explosion at a hospital, American President Joe Biden arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, with the mission of unblocking the delivery of humanitarian aid.
#Pope #urges #avoid #humanitarian #catastrophe #Gaza