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.