"War is an illusion, a defeat that will never lead to peace, it will never create security, it means defeat for everyone, especially for those who think they are invincible. Stop, please!” - said the Holy Father.
In his speech at noon on Sunday, Pope Francis called for respect for international peacekeeping forces after another attack on the UNIFIL mission stationed in southern Lebanon. The Pope urged an immediate ceasefire.
The head of the Catholic Church stated that he continues to follow the events in the Middle East with concern. He urged an immediate ceasefire on all fronts. He asked that the path of diplomacy and dialogue prevail in achieving peace.
The Pope expressed his closeness to all the affected peoples in the Palestinian territories, Israel and Lebanon, where he stressed the importance of respecting the UN peacekeeping forces.
Another blue helmet soldier of the UNIFIL mission stationed in southern Lebanon was injured on Friday after being hit by a shell. Earlier, three more soldiers were wounded, at least two of them in an attack by Israeli troops.
I pray for all the victims, for those who lost their homes, for the hostages, whose immediate release I trust, and I hope that this great and useless suffering, caused by hatred and revenge, will end quickly, Pope Francis said after the usual Sunday noon prayer in his speech, which was delivered in St. Peter's Square.
"War is an illusion, a defeat that will never lead to peace, it will never create security, it means defeat for everyone, especially for those who think they are invincible. Stop, please!” - said the Holy Father.
The Pope also appealed to ensure that the Ukrainians are not left to die with the return of the cold season and to stop the airstrikes against the population.
"Enough of killing innocents!" said the midfielder, who received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in the Vatican on Friday.
The Pope mentioned the dramatic situation in Haiti, the violence against the population, and asked for the commitment of the international community to achieve reconciliation in the country.
MTI
Cover image: Pope Francis calls for an immediate ceasefire
Source: Facebook/Vatican News
