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"Yes" to dialogue, reconciliation and peace

January 27, 2025

Image shows a tiny icon of Christ, as if painting on a locket, hanging from something silver.

Pope Francis has expressed his gratitude for the Gaza ceasefire agreement and called for it to be respected, also highlighting the importance of humanitarian aid - which is "so-urgently-needed" - to enter Gaza. The Pope affirmed his hope that "what has been agreed will be respected by the parties" and that all hostages will finally be able to return home, and embrace again their loved ones. "I pray a lot for them and their families," he said.

Both the Israelis and the Palestinians, Pope Francis insisted, need "clear signs" of hope:

"I trust that the political authorities of both of them, with the help of the international community, may reach the right solution for the two States...
"May everyone be able to say: yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace," as he called on all the faithful to pray for the achievement of these three elements."

Last Thursday, Bishop Hudson and Bishop Curry alongside staff from the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), visited two projects in Bethlehem. The first stop was St Martha’s House, a day-care centre for elderly Christian women, mostly widows, who enjoy companionship and therapies provided by specialist staff and volunteers. The bishops and their group were the first visitors since October 2023, with smiles, tears – and even dancing – proving almost a distraction from the suffering and difficulties that had come before. The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, the local Church leaders, have issued a declaration on the ceasefire in Gaza; you can read it here.


Source:
Vatican News & CBCEW

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