“Let us pray for the Lebanese,” Pope Francis calls for prayer, ceasefire amid Lebanon, Gaza hostilities
Pope Francis has made an urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza, just before the first anniversary of the Israeli war on the Palestinian coastal territory.
The Christian leader explained the need to pray for the Lebanese, particularly those in southern regions forced to abandon their villages, during his weekly Angelus prayer at St. Peter’s Square.
He expressed deep concern over the escalating suffering in the Middle East, where destructive military actions continue to devastate the Palestinian population. He stressed that every nation has the right to exist in peace and security, free from attacks or invasions, and that sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through dialogue and peace, rather than hatred and war.
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“Let us pray for the Lebanese, especially for the people in the south who are forced to leave their villages,” Francis told people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer.
“The Middle East has plunged into increasing suffering, with destructive military actions continuing to affect the Palestinian population,” the pontiff added.
“All nations have the right to exist in peace and security and their territories should not be attacked or invaded. Sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed by dialogue and peace, not hatred, war.”
This call to action echoes the United Nations’ pleas for a ceasefire, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres urging an immediate end to hostilities and a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
The international community remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, with thousands killed, injured, or displaced, and the situation continues to deteriorate.
