Pope Leo makes 'strong appeal' for end of Israel-Hamas conflict

AL-Monitor
Aug 27, 2025
Pope Leo XIV delivers a speech during the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, appealing to the international community to end the conflict in Gaza, and calling for a permanent ceasefire and urgent humanitarian aid, at the Vatican, August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Pope Leo XIV delivers a speech during the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, appealing to the international community to end the conflict in Gaza, and calling for a permanent ceasefire and urgent humanitarian aid, at the Vatican, August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane — Guglielmo Mangiapane

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Leo made a "strong appeal" to the global community on Wednesday to end the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for a permanent ceasefire, release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid.

"I once again issue a strong appeal ... so that an end may be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death," the pontiff said in his weekly audience at the Vatican.

"I implore that all hostages be freed, that a permanent ceasefire be reached, that the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and that international humanitarian law be fully respected," he said.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Gavin Jones)