Pope Francis called for the respect of the ceasefire declared in the Gaza Strip and for the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to the population.

Pope Francis expressed the hope that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19, “would be respected immediately by all the parties [involved]” and would lead to “the release of all the hostages” and the rapid provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza.

He thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as Qatar and Egypt. The Pope's first words of gratitude were directed towards the key mediators who, in recent weeks, have worked tirelessly to broker

Pope Francis thanked the negotiators of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas in an interview on Sunday, saying, “Peace takes courage.”

JERUSALEM — Pope Francis and Catholic leaders in the Holy Land are praying that the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that began Sunday local time will bring a brighter future for the people of Gaza and the Middle East as a whole.

ROME (Reuters) - Rome's chief Jewish rabbi on Thursday sharply criticised Pope Francis over the pontiff's recent ramping up of criticism against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, in an unusually forceful speech during an annual Catholic-Jewish dialogue event.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Thursday stepped up his recent criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave “very serious and shameful.” In a yearly address to diplomats delivered on ...

If this is true it is a disgrace because it makes the poor unfortunate who have nothing pay the price of imbalance. This is not how things are solved,” the pope said on Italian TV.

Expressing gratitude to mediators, the pontiff also urged a boost in humanitarian aid as well as the return of hostages

Pope Francis has stepped up his recent criticisms of Israel ’s military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave “shameful”. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Donald Trump attends Service of Prayer as he begins first full day as the 47th President of the United States following his inauguration