Overview

• At a Wednesday general audience, Pope Leone XIV urged the release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire and safe humanitarian access while rejecting collective punishment and forced displacement.
• The Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem said they will remain in Gaza to care for civilians, a stance publicly backed by Italy’s bishops.
• ANSA reported that the IDF deemed evacuation of Gaza City inevitable and confirmed an order to clear the Orthodox church of San Porfirio, previously hit by strikes.
• Father Gabriel Romanelli described fewer than 500 refugees sheltering in the parish compound, including disabled children and the seriously ill, with critical shortages of medicines.
• Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin is in contact with U.S. officials and expects concrete signals tied to Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Washington.