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07-10-2025
VATICAN CITY/ ROME: Pope Leo hopes that a plan to end the war in Gaza would soon reach the “desired results”, he said on Sunday after acknowledging the significant steps made in negotiations to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking during his weekly Angelus prayer, the pontiff asked all relevant parties to commit to the peace process, emphasizing the urgent need to end the conflict and establish a “just and lasting peace”.
“In recent hours, amid the dramatic situation in the Middle East, some significant steps forward have been taken in the peace negotiations, which I hope will soon achieve the desired results,” the pope told faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
He also renewed calls for a permanent ceasefire in the nearly two-year conflict and the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Pope Leo, the first US pope, was elected by the world’s cardinals in May to replace the late Pope Francis and has been more cautious about speaking out against the Gaza conflict than his predecessor.
His role in advocating for peace in Gaza, however, has become starker since Israel struck the territory’s only Catholic Church in July.
On Tuesday the pontiff praised US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza and expressed hope that the Palestinian militant group Hamas would endorse it.
Last week, Pope Leo on Tuesday praised US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, and expressed hope that the Palestinian militant group Hamas would endorse it.
“There are very interesting elements” in the plan, the pope was quoted as saying by Italy’s ANSA news agency. “I hope Hamas will accept it within the established timeframe.”
Hamas was not part of the talks that led to the proposal, which calls on the group to disarm, a demand it has previously rejected. It has said it will review the plan in good faith and provide a response.
Leo spoke to reporters as he was leaving his Castel Gandolfo summer residence, which he has taken to visiting regularly.
He also commented on the international aid flotilla that is trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, and which risks being attacked by Israel in the coming hours.
Israel has vowed to take all necessary measures to defend the naval blockade it has imposed on Gaza while it conducts its war against Hamas.
“From all sides, people are saying, ‘let’s hope that there will not be violence, that people are respected.’ That’s very important,” the pope said.
Italy to end support for Gaza flotilla as Israeli action looms
Italy said on Tuesday it would stop tracking an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza with a military vessel, leaving activists vulnerable to Israeli forces.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 40 civilian boats with over 500 people including parliamentarians, lawyers and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, aims to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.
Once the convoy gets within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of Gaza’s shoreline, the Italian frigate accompanying it will stop, the Italian defence ministry said in a statement, adding that it expected it to happen at around 0000 GMT.
Italy has urged flotilla members to accept a compromise proposal to drop aid in a Cyprus port and avoid a confrontation with Israeli forces. Flotilla representatives have repeatedly refused the offer.
“We say again; the flotilla sails onwards. The Italian navy will not derail this mission. The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
