Overview

• At his Wednesday general audience, Pope Leone XIV urged a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, safe humanitarian access and full adherence to international humanitarian law, including a ban on collective punishment and forced displacement.
• The Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem said they will remain in Gaza to care for civilians in their church compounds, a decision backed by the Italian Bishops' Conference.
• ANSA reported that the Israeli military issued an order to remove people from Gaza City's San Porfirio Orthodox church after deeming a wider evacuation of the city inevitable.
• Parish priest Gabriel Romanelli said fewer than 500 people remain sheltered at Holy Family, including disabled children and the seriously ill, and warned that going south would amount to a death sentence.
• Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said he is in contact with the U.S. administration and expects tangible signals from talks linked to Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar’s visit to Washington.