Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for “courage” and determination from all parties involved in efforts to forge a lasting peace in Gaza, as global leaders prepare to attend a high-stakes summit aimed at ending the conflict.
“The agreement to begin the peace process has given a spark of hope in the Holy Land,” said the US-born pontiff during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican.
“I encourage the parties involved to courageously continue on the path towards a just and lasting peace that respects the legitimate aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.”
The Pope’s remarks come ahead of a peace summit scheduled for Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The summit will focus on implementing the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, two years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered a devastating counter-offensive that has since claimed the lives of more than 67,000 Palestinians.
“Two years of conflict have left behind death and destruction everywhere—especially in the hearts of those who have tragically lost children, parents, friends, and entire communities,” Pope Leo said.
He prayed for divine assistance to achieve what “now seems humanly impossible: to rediscover that the other is not an enemy, but a brother—to be seen, forgiven, and offered the hope of reconciliation.”
Concern for Ukraine
Pope Leo also expressed deep sorrow over recent violent attacks in Ukraine, which have targeted cities and civilian infrastructure, causing numerous casualties, including children.
“My heart goes out to the suffering population, who have lived in anguish and deprivation for years,” he said, once again urging for an immediate end to the violence.
Meanwhile, Kyiv has warned that diplomatic momentum to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stalled, largely due to the international community’s shifting focus to the Gaza conflict.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed directly to President Trump, urging him to broker peace in Ukraine, as he has attempted in the Middle East.
“If the U.S. president can help stop one war, others can be stopped as well,” Zelensky said.
