Pope hails Gaza ceasefire as ‘message of hope’

VATICAN CITY, Italy (MNTV) – Roman Catholic leader Pope Leo XIV has praised the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a “glimmer of hope” for a region devastated by two years of war, urging both sides to persevere in building a “just and lasting peace.”

Speaking after his traditional Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the pope reflected on the toll of the conflict, which he said had brought “death and destruction everywhere — especially in the hearts of those who have brutally lost their children, their parents, their friends, everything.”

Welcoming the truce recently reached between Israel and Hamas, Leo described it as a “message of hope” and appealed to all parties “to continue, with courage, along the path toward a peace that honors the legitimate aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.”

The pontiff also prayed that humanity might rediscover compassion and shared humanity, saying, “May we learn to see others not as an enemy, but as a brother — capable of forgiveness and worthy of reconciliation.”

Turning to Ukraine, he expressed solidarity with civilians enduring the ongoing war, saying his “heart is united with the suffering of the population” and renewing his call for dialogue over violence.

The pope’s comments follow the announcement of a 20-point ceasefire plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump, which includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.

While Arab and Muslim nations have largely welcomed the plan, several officials have stressed that key details still require negotiation before full implementation.