Pope Francis issued an appeal for immediate action and prayers to alleviate the suffering caused by war worldwide during his weekly general audience.
“Children are suffering; the sick are suffering, and many young people are dying,” the pope said during his weekly General Audience. “War is always a defeat. Let us not forget: War is always a defeat.”
Before ending his address, Pope Francis called for solidarity and prayers for the war-torn Ukraine, expanding his plea to encompass the ongoing conflicts involving the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.
“Let us not forget martyred Ukraine and let us think of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples: may the Lord bring a just peace,” he said.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine 18 months ago, the Pontiff has consistently advocated for negotiated solutions and offered prayers for those affected by violence and displacement.
Pope Francis has made repeated appeals for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and urgent humanitarian aid for the besieged Gaza Strip.
At least 10,569 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the death toll over the same period stands at more than 1,400.
The Vatican remains a vocal advocate for global peace, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the root causes of conflicts to achieve lasting and just peace for all nations.
