Pope Leo appeals for Gaza ceasefire, laments deaths of children

Pope Leo XIV blesses to the crowd during the weekly general audience at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 28, 2025. (AFP)
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  • 鈥楾he intense cries are reaching Heaven more and more from mothers and fathers,鈥� he said

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo appealed on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza, and called on Israel and Hamas militants to 鈥渃ompletely respect鈥� international humanitarian law.

鈥淚n the Gaza Strip, the intense cries are reaching Heaven more and more from mothers and fathers who hold tightly to the bodies of their dead children,鈥� the pontiff said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter鈥檚 Square.

鈥淭o those responsible, I renew my appeal: stop the fighting,鈥� said the pope. 鈥淟iberate all the hostages. Completely respect humanitarian law.鈥�

Leo, elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, also appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine.