Pope Francis Calls for Prayers and Support for Peace Between Palestine and Israel

Pope Francis has called for prayers and international support for freedom and peace between Palestine and Israel. In his Wednesday audience, the Pope stated that "war is always a defeat" and expressed concern for the suffering in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and other countries affected by conflict.

The Pope urged people to pray for peace, particularly for the "martyred Ukraine." He also spoke about the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, describing them as an "antidote to self-sufficiency" and a way to collaborate in building God's Kingdom. The Pope emphasized the importance of these virtues in the Christian life and encouraged the pilgrims to chant them as a way to differentiate them from the two, states, good cardinal virtues.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his sadness and disappointment over the ongoing conflict, which he says is the most difficult trial the region has faced. The uncertainty now is about how much longer the war will last and what will happen after, as the conflict has been going on for 76 years. The Patriarch emphasizes the need for listening and understanding the suffering of both sides, rather than focusing on what separates them.

Why this matters: The Pope's call for prayers and support reflects the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict between Palestine and Israel. The Church's efforts to promote dialogue and understanding between the two sides highlight the importance of finding a path to peace that starts at the grassroots level and addresses the complex reasons behind the conflict.

In an interview with CBS News, Pope Francis reiterated his call for an end to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, urging countries at war to "stop the war" and "look to negotiate" for peace. He expressed deep concern for the civilians, especially children, suffering in these conflicts, saying it is "very hard" for them and that many children in Gaza have "forgotten how to smile." The Pope said he has been praying a lot about the conflict between Hamas and Israel, and that he believes a "negotiated peace" is politics, better than ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways

• Pope Francis calls for prayers and support for peace between Palestine and Israel.
• Pope urges people to pray for peace, especially for "martyred Ukraine".
• Cardinal Pizzaballa expresses sadness over the ongoing conflict and need for understanding.
• Pope reiterates call for end to wars in Ukraine and Gaza, urging negotiated peace.
• Pope believes negotiated peace is better than ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.