VACTICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Sunday called for 鈥減eace in Israel and in Palestine,鈥� saying 鈥渢errorism and war do not lead to a solution.鈥�
As war raged between Israel and Palestinian militants, the pope called for an end to attacks in Israel.
He did not mention the Gaza Strip or the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched a massive surprise attack early on Saturday.
鈥淲ar is a defeat. All war is a defeat. Let us pray for peace in Israel and Palestine,鈥� he said at St. Peter鈥檚 Square in the Vatican.
鈥淚 follow with apprehension and pain what is happening in Israel... I express my solidarity with the families of the victims,鈥� he told crowds after his traditional Angelus prayer.
鈥淚 pray for all those who are living through hours of terror and anguish,鈥� he said.
鈥淢ay the attacks and the weapons cease, I beg you.鈥�
鈥淭errorism and war do not lead to a solution, but only to the death and suffering of many innocent people.鈥�