Pope Francis today called for humanitarian corridors to be organized to help the entire population of the Gaza Strip and renewed his call for the release of Israeli hostages held by the Islamist group Hamas, during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square. .
In his new appeal, the pope once again asked "strongly that children, the sick, the elderly, women and all civilians not be victims of the conflict" and that the "humanitarian right" be guaranteed, especially to Gaza.
Francis urged "that no more innocent blood be shed neither in the Holy Land, nor in Ukraine, nor anywhere else" and stressed that "wars are always a defeat."
"I follow with great pain what is happening in Israel and Palestine and I think above all of the many children and the elderly. I renew the call for the release of the hostages and I earnestly ask that children, the sick, the elderly, women and civilians do not be victims of the conflict," said Francis, leaning out of the window of the apostolic palace for the Angelus prayer.
And he added: "Humanitarian law must be respected and especially in Gaza, everything at home where it is urgent and necessary to guarantee humanitarian corridors to help the entire population."
He regretted that so many people have already died and then urged that "no more innocent blood be shed, neither in the Holy Land, nor in Ukraine, nor anywhere else. Enough, wars are always a defeat, always."
"Prayer and quiet strength is holy and is what must be offered to the diabolical force of hatred, terrorism and war," he added.
He also invited all believers to join the Church in the Holy Land to dedicate next Tuesday, October 17, a day of prayer and fasting.
