Pope Francis called for the respect of the ceasefire declared in the Gaza Strip and for the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to the population.

Pope Francis thanked the negotiators of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas in an interview on Sunday, saying, “Peace takes courage.”

He thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as Qatar and Egypt. The Pope's first words of gratitude were directed towards the key mediators who, in recent weeks, have worked tirelessly to broker

During his Angelus address, the Holy Father also expressed his hope that all hostages “may finally return home and embrace their loved ones.”

Pope Francis expressed the hope that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19, “would be respected immediately by all the parties [involved]” and would lead to “the release of all the hostages” and the rapid provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza.

Rome's chief Jewish rabbi on Thursday sharply criticised Pope Francis over the pontiff's recent ramping up of criticism against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, in an unusually forceful speech during an annual Catholic-Jewish dialogue event.

"Thanks to all the parties involved in this important outcome. I hope it'll be immediately respected by the parties and all the hostages will finally be able to go home to hug their loved ones again"

Francis' prayer for the 47th president followed a Sunday interview with Italian media in which he called Trump's proposed immigration policy 'a disgrace.'

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Thursday stepped up his recent criticisms of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave "very serious and shameful".

ROME – Pope Francis said Sunday the Gaza ceasefire must be respected and all sides must now work on the two-state solution to the Middle East crisis."I exp

Expressing gratitude to mediators, the pontiff also urged a boost in humanitarian aid as well as the return of hostages

Pope Francis has stepped up his recent criticisms of Israel ’s military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave “shameful”. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.