2023-10-11 11:29:30
Pope Francis demanded, Wednesday October 11 at the end of his weekly audience, the release of hostages held by Hamas, four days after the movement’s terrorist offensive in Israel, during which families “saw a day of celebration transformed into a day of mourning”.
“I demand that the hostages be released immediately,” Francis demanded in front of the thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square. The Pope, who emphasized that “he who is attacked has the right to defend himself”also said “very concerned about the total siege in which Palestinians live in Gaza”.
“The Middle East does not need war but peace”
In Gaza, “there are also innocent victims dead”lamented the Pope, visibly very affected. “Terrorism and extremism do not help to reach a solution to resolve the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, but they fuel hatred, violence, revenge, which only make both suffer,” François insisted.
“The Middle East does not need war but peace. Of a peace built on justice, on dialogue and on the courage of fraternity”, he continued, before praying silently for a few seconds.
On October 7, the pope called the priest of Gaza to assure him of his support. “He showed his closeness and his prayers and we thanked him for the call for a ceasefire and against all forms of violence, terrorism and against all war,” explained Father Gabriel Romanelli to the official Vatican News media.
Through the voice of the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican diplomacy had also condemned an attack “terrible and contemptible” perpetrated by Hamas, while ensuring that “the Holy See follows with deep and grave concern the war that has been provoked, in which many Palestinians in Gaza are also losing their lives and many people are being displaced and injured”.
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