Tensions have escalated alarmingly in Israel and Palestine following unexpected attacks by Hamas militants, sparking fervent calls for peace from many, including Pope Francis.
On Sunday after his Angelus address, Pope Francis, deeply concerned by the sudden outbreak of violence, said, “War is always a defeat! Every war is a defeat!”
He pleaded for a cessation of hostilities, highlighting that “terrorism and war do not lead to any solution, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”
Israel, responding to Hamas’s incursion, has declared itself “at war.” Reports suggest that both sides have suffered significant casualties, with hundreds dead and many more injured.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, also voiced his concerns, noting the “extension and intensity” of the violence.
His words captured the anxiety many feel: “The too many casualties and tragedies… will create more hatred and division, and will destroy more and more any perspective of stability.” He further emphasized the “urgent need to find a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
A joint statement from the patriarchs and heads of the Churches in Jerusalem also condemned actions targeting civilians and called for an immediate end to the violence.
“Our faith, which is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, compels us to advocate for the cessation of all violent and military activities that bring harm to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians,” the statement read.
Pray for a swift and peaceful resolution!
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