Overview

• At his weekly audience, Pope Leo urged a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, safe humanitarian access, and full compliance with humanitarian law.
• He cited prohibitions on collective punishment, indiscriminate force, and forced displacement, drawing applause from the crowd.
• About 50 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating roughly 20 may still be alive.
• The pope aligned with a joint declaration by the Latin and Greek Orthodox patriarchs, who said clergy will remain at Gaza City’s Holy Family and Saint Porphyrius compounds to care for malnourished civilians under evacuation orders.
• His appeal comes as Israel prepares an expanded Gaza City offensive and as aid groups and Gaza authorities report severe hunger and mass civilian casualties.