Pope Leo XIV Joins Patriarchs’ Appeal for Peace and Humanitarian Access in Gaza
Pope Leo XIV has joined his voice to the joint appeal of the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Palestine, calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be allowed to flow freely into the enclave.
The Patriarchs had issued their appeal on Tuesday, August 26, denouncing the deliberate and forcible displacement of civilians as unjustifiable. On Wednesday, the Pope expressed his support and recalled the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace held on August 22, urging both the parties involved and the international community to act swiftly to halt the conflict in the Holy Land, which he said has brought “terror, destruction, and death.”
Pope Leo XIV stressed the urgent need for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and the facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He underscored the importance of respecting international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians, and warned against collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and forced displacement of populations.
