Pope Francis has once again made a heartfelt plea for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. This call for peace came after the traditional Angelus prayer at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, where he expressed deep concern for the lives lost and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.”I beg you in the name of God to stop, cease fire,” the Pope implored, emphasizing the urgency of halting the violence. He also called for all possible avenues to be explored to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

The current crisis began when Hamas militants launched a devastating attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 1,400 lives and the capture of 240 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. This attack marked the deadliest incident in Israel’s history.

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In response to these actions, Israel launched relentless airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip , causing further casualties, with over 9,770 people, predominantly women and children, losing their lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The Pope’s appeal is not a new stance; he has consistently called for an end to the conflict and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He has also stressed the importance of the immediate release of hostages.

Pope Francis’s message for peace extends beyond the Israel-Hamas conflict. He recently engaged in discussions with US President Joe Biden regarding “conflict situations in the world and the need to identify paths to peace.” These efforts underline his commitment to addressing global conflicts and promoting reconciliation.