Pope Francis made a strong appeal for peace in the Holy Land after praying the midday Angelus this January 29. On Friday, there was an attack on a synagogue, which was an “answer” to Palestinian deaths on Thursday.
The Pope said:
It is with great sorrow that I learn of the news coming from the Holy Land, particularly of the deaths of ten Palestinians, including a woman, killed during Israeli military anti-terrorist actions in Palestine; and of what happened near Jerusalem on Friday night, when seven Israeli Jews were killed by a Palestinian and three were wounded as they exited the synagogue.
The death spiral that is increasing by the day only closes the few glimmers of trust that exist between the two peoples. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of Palestinians have been killed in firefights with the Israeli army. I appeal to the two governments and the international community to find, immediately and without delay, other paths, which include dialogue and the sincere search for peace. Let us pray for this, brothers and sisters!
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South Caucasus and Ukraine
Pope Francis then spoke up again for peace in the South Caucasus.
I then renew my appeal for the grave humanitarian situation in the Lachin Corridor in the South Caucasus. I am close to all those who, in the middle of winter, are forced to cope with these inhuman conditions. Every effort must be made at the international level to find peaceful solutions for the good of people.
The Lachin Corridor is reportedly virtually closed; the road links Armenia and the enclave of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Finally, as in every public address, the Pope mentioned “martyred Ukraine,” saying, “our commitment and our prayer for peace must be even stronger.”
“Let us think of Ukraine and pray for the Ukrainian people, who are so mistreated,” he said.
And today we celebrate...