Vatican:

Pope Francis has given an appeal for the release of all hostages in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, adding that children, the elderly, women and civilians are not victims of the fighting. He made this appeal during the Sunday Angelus.

The pontiff renewed his appeal to both Israelis and Palestinians to stop the bloodshed. He said that wars are always a defeat and exhorted the faithful to join the Church in the Holy Land’s Day of Prayer and Fasting on October 17. The Holy Father said he was following the developments in the Holy Land “with much pain” adding that he was thinking in particular of the children and the elderly.

The pope also called for respect for Humanitarian Law in Gaza where there is an urgent requirement for humanitarian corridors to rescue civilians. “Brothers and sisters, so many have already died: please do not spill any more innocent blood, neither in the Holy Land, nor in Ukraine, nor anywhere else,” said Pope Francis making a passionate appeal.

At the conclusion of the Angelus, the pontiff also reminded believers about the grave humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh and the plight of displaced ethnic Armenians. The UNHCR has estimated that more than 100,000 refugees have fled to Armenia since Azerbaijan troops took over the control of the contested enclave.

Pope Francis also called for the protection of all historic monasteries and places of worship in Nagorno Karabakh. He expressed hope that they will be “respected and protected as part of the local culture, expressions of faith and a sign of fraternity that makes it possible to live together despite differences”.