Recovered From Ill, Pope Francis Calls For The End Of The Gaza Conflict: Enough, Please Stop It

JAKARTA - Pope Francis again called for an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine through the window of the Vatican Apostulic Palace on Sunday, calling for violence to end there as the death toll from the Hamas-Israeli conflict in the enclave penetrated 30,000, after showing signs of recovery from bronchitis.

On Saturday, the Pope delegated the reading of a speech at a ceremony to an aide. On Wednesday, he made a short trip to a hospital in Rome, after missing a speech reading at his weekly audience.

"Every day I carry in my heart with the pain of the suffering of the people in Palestine and Israel as a result of the continuing hostilities, thousands of people are killed, injured and displaced," the Pope said.

Speaking to the people in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis stressed the impact of the conflict on children and requested the release of all hostages held hostage in the Hamas attack on October 7.

"Do you really think you can build a better world in this way? Do you really think you're going to achieve peace? Enough! Let's all say enough! Please stop it!" said the Pope.

"Thousands of people who died, were injured, displaced, enormous destruction, caused suffering, and this has enormous consequences for children and those who are helpless because they see their future threatened," the Pope said, reflecting on five months of war in Gaza, quoted from the Catholic World Report.

The Pope delivered his call as negotiations were underway for weeks of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"I encourage the continuation of negotiations for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and across the region, so that the hostages can be immediately released and return to the homes of loved ones they have been waiting for and civilians can have safe access to humanitarian aid sites," he said.

Pope Francis has experienced a number of health problems in recent months.

He was forced to cancel his planned trip to the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai in early December due to the impact of influenza and pneumonia.

In January, he was unable to complete his speech due to "bronchitis".