Pope Leo XIV has again reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire as he seeks diplomatic solutions to the crisis in Gaza, saying the inviolable human dignity of every person must be respected.
“I express my deepest sympathy to the Palestinian people in Gaza, who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, forced—once again—from their lands,” he stated during his weekly General Audience.
The Pope expressed his deepest sympathy for the people of Gaza, just as he called for the release of hostages, a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and full respect for international humanitarian law.
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The Pope, in invoking the ‘Thou shalt not kill’ commandment, urged every concerned party in the Gaza crisis to respect the human dignity of every person in Gaza. “Every person always has an inviolable dignity to be respected and protected.”
Concerned about the exodus from Gaza City, the Pope had called for efforts to find a different solution to the crisis. “Many have nowhere to go, and so it is a concern. I have also spoken with our people there, with the parish priest. For now, they want to stay; they are still holding on, but we really need to look for another solution.”
The Pope had earlier called Fr. Romanelli, pastor of the Holy Family Catholic parish in Gaza, to check on the 450 people taking refuge in the church compound as Israel intensifies its ground campaign in the city.
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On Tuesday, Israeli forces launched a new military offensive against Gaza City, the largest population centre, ordering civilians to flee the city amid intense bombardment faced in the almost two years of war.
According to Hamas, about 350,000 people have fled the eastern part of the city for displacement centres in other parts of Gaza City, while another 175,000 have fled the city altogether.
