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Pope Leo XIV has renewed his appeal for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, calling for a cessation of hostilities. Speaking during Wednesday's General Audience, Pope Leo said:

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"I renew my appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is paid by the children, elderly, and the sick."

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The humanitarian emergency in Gaza is at a breaking point with the "Integrated Food Security Phase Classification" (IPC), supported by the United Nations, warning of an imminent famine. In a statement issued today, the Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Jim Curry, echoed Pope Leo's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza:

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“This is a humanitarian disaster, desperately needed aid supplies must be allowed into Gaza to be urgently distributed to civilians. The human cost is intolerably high with tens of thousands of weary, regularly displaced people threatened with starvation. We need an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering.

"I welcome the statement by the UK Prime Minister and the leaders of France and Canada, particularly the assertion that the best hope of achieving this and alleviating the pain and hardship facing the civilians in Gaza is to work tirelessly for a long-term political solution.

“It is important not to lose sight of the legitimate right of Palestinians to self-determination. The Church has consistently advocated for a two-state solution to enable Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace.”

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Source: Vatican News & CBCEW