![Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, on August 07, 2024 [Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AA-20240807-35341051-35341024-POPE_FRANCIS_ATTENDS_THE_GENERAL_AUDIENCE.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Pope Francis yesterday renewed his call for an end to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, advocating for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, starting with the Gaza Strip.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the Pope stated at the conclusion of his weekly general audience: “I continue to follow with great concern the situation in the Middle East.”
“I repeat my appeal to all sides involved in the conflict not to expand and for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, starting with Gaza where the humanitarian situation is very grave and unsustainable.”
“I pray for the sincere search for peace to extinguish conflicts, for love to win over hatred and for vengeance to be disarmed by forgiveness,” he added.
READ: Israel’s Gaza attacks have created serious environmental crisis: Experts