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Pope Francis has reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza, appealing for "tireless efforts" to end the Israel-Hamas war and lamenting the suffering of the civilian population. Speaking during Wednesday's General Audience in Rome, the Pope also highlighted his "deep regret" at the deaths of seven staff members from the charity World Central Kitchen who were killed while engaged in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza - those killed included three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national, an American-Canadian dual citizen, and a Palestinian.

Addressing those assembled, the Pope said: “I renew my appeal for the exhausted and suffering civilian population to be allowed access to humanitarian aid and for the hostages to be released immediately. Let us avoid any irresponsible attempts to escalate the conflict in the region... [and] put an end to this and other wars that continue to bring death and suffering to so many parts of the world." The Holy Father concluded the appeal by calling on the faithful to join him in prayer for "the silencing of weapons and the return of peace."

Pope Francis had also made a plea for a ceasefire in the Strip in his Urbi et Orbi address on Easter Sunday.

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Source & Image: Vatican News