Pope Francis denounces “the desperate humanitarian situation” in Gaza

He Pope Francisco denounced this Monday in his message Christmas “the desperate humanitarian situation” of the Palestinians Loopand asked for the release of the hostages in the hands of Hamas and a ceasefire between the Islamist movement and Israel.

“I carry in my heart the pain for the victims of the execrable attack of last October 7 and I renew an urgent call for the release of those who are still held hostage”the 87-year-old Argentine pontiff said from the Vatican, in his traditional blessing “urbi et orbi”to the city of Rome and to the world.

“I beg that military operations cease, with their dramatic consequences of innocent civilian casualties, and that the desperate humanitarian situation be remedied by allowing the arrival of aid.”he added.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza Stripwhere 85% of the population was forced to abandon their homes, is catastrophic, according to the UN, 80 days after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

Humanitarian aid to the besieged territory arrives in dribs and drabs through Egypt and the Israeli border post of Kerem Shalom.

Israel promised to destroy Hamas after its unprecedented attack on October 7, in which some 1,140 people died, most of them civilians, according to official Israeli data. The Islamist movement’s militants kidnapped some 250 people, of whom 129 remain captive in Gaza, according to Israel.

Israeli bombings have left more than 20,400 dead in Gaza, mainly women and children, according to Hamas, which has ruled this Palestinian territory since 2007.

For the long-term resolution of the conflict, the pontiff urged that “a solution to the Palestinian issue is found through sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, supported by strong political will and the support of the international community.”

Pope Francis speaks out on Ukraine

The bishop of Rome referred to the “martyred” town of Syriaand asked for peace Ukraineas the second anniversary of the Russian invasion that began in February 2022 approaches.

In this former Soviet republic, millions of Orthodox participated in Christmas celebrations on December 25, and not on January 7 as the Russian Orthodox Church did until now, marking a break in traditions in the midst of war with Moscow.

Francisco also recalled “the tensions and conflicts disrupting the Sahel, Horn of Africa and Sudan regions, as well as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.”

Addressing the “American continent,” the Argentine pope called on the leaders “to find suitable solutions that lead to overcoming social and political dissension, to fighting against forms of poverty that offend people’s dignity, to resolving inequalities and to confront the painful phenomenon of migration.”

He also criticized the production and trade of arms, “instruments of death” at the service of war, “a journey without a goal, a defeat without winners, a madness without excuses.”

“How can we talk about peace if the production, sale and trade of arms increase? (…) The people, who do not want weapons but bread, who find it difficult to move forward and ask for peace, do not know how much public funds are allocated to weapons.”said Bergoglio.