On the 27th, Pope Leo XIV, at the conclusion of his weekly public audience, called for an end to the Gaza conflict.
He lamented that the war has caused "so much horror, destruction, and death."
He said: "I plead for the release of all hostages, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire agreement, the facilitation of safe entry for humanitarian aid (into Gaza), and full respect for humanitarian law, especially the obligation to protect civilians, to prohibit collective punishment, abuse of force, and the forced displacement of people."
He implored for the Holy Land to be restored to peace and for all parties in conflict to stop using arms.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed support for the joint statement issued by the bishops of the Jerusalem Patriarchate on August 26.
The statement strongly condemned the deliberate forced displacement of civilians (in Gaza), and reaffirmed the right of Palestinians to live on their own land.