Vatican City: With anguish and urgency, Pope Leo XIV issued a heartfelt plea on Sunday for an end to the suffering of civilians in Gaza, calling on world leaders to act swiftly to uphold human dignity and protect the innocent from the ravages of war.
Addressing thousands of faithful after the recitation of the Angelus Prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope expressed his deep sorrow over the catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. "The people are being crushed under the weight of hunger and subjected daily to violence and death," he said, referencing the heart-wrenching images of emaciated children and overcrowded hospital wards that have shocked the conscience of the world.
He condemned the blockade that has choked the region of basic necessities, declaring: “I am closely following the tragic situation in Gaza with profound concern. Starvation cannot be a weapon. Humanity cannot be abandoned to despair.”
The Pontiff’s words extended beyond Gaza. He invoked the Prince of Peace, calling for dialogue and reconciliation in southern Syria, and on the tense border between Thailand and Cambodia, where violence continues to displace families and imperil children.
Reiterating his unwavering commitment to peace, Pope Leo appealed once again for a ceasefire, the immediate release of hostages, and unconditional respect for international humanitarian law. “Every person carries within them the divine imprint of dignity, granted by God Himself,” he said. “No cause justifies trampling that dignity through violence or neglect.”
In a message clearly directed at global leaders and armed groups alike, the Pope pleaded: “Recognize the face of God in the suffering of the innocent. End the atrocities. Pursue peace not with force, but with compassion and wisdom.”
Entrusting his hopes to the Blessed Virgin, he concluded: “May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for the victims of war and inspire those with power to become architects of peace, not agents of destruction.”
With this fervent appeal, Pope Leo XIV once again reminded the world that silence in the face of suffering is not neutrality, but complicity and that the time to act is now.