Pope Francis Calls for Truce Extension in Gaza

On Wednesday, Pope Francis called for an extension of the humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, saying that "war is always a defeat" for everyone except arms manufacturers.

He added: “I hope that the truce underway in Gaza might continue, so that all the hostages might be freed, and the necessary humanitarian aid might be able to enter.”

Pope Francis's prayers came at the end of his General Audience on Wednesday morning.

He called: “May we please continue to pray for the serious situation in Israel and Palestine,” the Pope said. “Peace, please, peace.”

During his statements, the Pope referred to a phone call with Gaza’s Catholic parish of the Holy Family.

The Pope said: “They don’t have water; they don't have bread; ordinary people are suffering; the people are suffering." "It’s not those who make war who are suffering.”

“Let us now,” “ask for peace, and let us not forget, while asking for peace, the dear Ukrainian people, who are suffering a lot and still fighting a war," he asserted.

He concluded: “War is always a defeat,” adding: “Everyone loses. Well, not everyone—there's a group that earns a lot. Those who make weapons. They earn a lot from the deaths of others.”