Pope Leo XIV delivered an urgent appeal for peace in the “Holy Land” on August 27, urging an end to the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza which he said had caused “so much terror, destruction and death”.
At his weekly general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall, the American-born pontiff’s words drew repeated applause, reflecting both the urgency of the crisis and the moral weight of his message.
ALSO READ | The Gaza famine: How blockade and conflict created a humanitarian catastrophe
His appeal set out four immediate priorities, addressed both to the warring parties and the wider international community: a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages still held in Gaza, the facilitation of humanitarian aid and full respect for humanitarian law. He also spoke about protecting civilians, ending all forms of collective punishment, and the need to prevent forced displacement.
The ongoing war in Gaza began two years ago when Hamas launched a brutal assault on southern Israel that killed more than 1,200 people. Israel’s retaliation has since left vast destruction in Gaza.
According to local authorities, Palestinian deaths now number around 70,000, including some 18,000 children, with more than 157,000 injured. These figures are broadly accepted by both the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The humanitarian situation is catastrophic. Nearly 300 people—among them at least 114 children—have died of starvation. A UN-backed monitoring body has confirmed famine in Gaza City, attributing it to the systematic obstruction of aid convoys.
Save the Children has described the desperation of families, reporting that starving children are often too weak to speak or cry.
In his address, the Pope endorsed a joint statement by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III and Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem. They lead the two remaining churches in Gaza City, Saint Porphyrius and the Church of the Holy Family.
Both announced their decision not to evacuate, despite heavy bombardment and Israeli threats to raze the city.
Hundreds of civilians have sought refuge within their walls, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Many are malnourished and too weak to travel.
ALSO READ | EXPLAINED: Israel’s paradox of immigration and emigration
The patriarchs argued that leaving Gaza City would be “nothing less than a death sentence” for those under their care.
In a direct criticism of Israeli policy, they declared that there could "be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge".
They echoed Pope Leo XIV’s own words that all peoples have the right to remain in their homeland and must never be forced into exile. Their stance comes as Israel has floated the idea of relocating Gaza’s population, a move widely condemned by rights groups who fear permanent displacement.
The risks facing Gaza’s Christians are not theoretical. On July 17, the Church of the Holy Family was struck in an attack that killed three people and injured others, including its pastor Father Gabriel Romanelli. Pope Francis in his final days had maintained daily contact with the same parish priest to express solidarity.
Despite such appeals, Israeli forces are preparing for an expanded offensive in Gaza City, presented as Hamas’ last major stronghold. Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned that the city could “turn into Rafah and Beit Hanoun”—both previously devastated—if Hamas does not capitulate.
The Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee has insisted evacuation is inevitable and promised aid to those who flee south, although humanitarian organisations warn that such mass displacement would breach international law.
Israel is under growing pressure both at home and abroad. Large demonstrations in Tel Aviv and other cities demand a ceasefire to secure the release of remaining hostages.
ALSO READ | Is the Netherlands' Israel policy pushing its caretaker government to the brink?
Hamas has said it accepts the latest truce proposal from mediators, but Israel has yet to issue a formal response, with some officials signalling preference for a decisive end to Hamas rather than negotiations. Qatar, one of the mediators, has openly rebuked Israel for blocking the agreement.
Tensions have been inflamed further by a recent Israeli strike on a hospital in Khan Younis which killed five journalists and 15 medical staff.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “tragic mishap”, though the army claimed six of those killed were combatants: an assertion contested by Hamas.
Pope Leo XIV’s words, delivered against this backdrop of deepening conflict and worsening humanitarian catastrophe, underline a global call for an end to what he called a “senseless and destructive war”.