Addressing Diplomatic Corps for Christmas and New years, Pope Francis reiterates need for ceasefire in Gaza

THE VATICAN: Pope Francis today reiterated the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and called urgently for access to humanitarian aid to Palestinians there. Speaking during his annual meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Vatican City on the occasion of Christmas and New Year's, Pope Francis addressed several international issues, focusing on the need for dialogue and diplomacy to come up with peaceful solutions for disputed issues and calling for justice and world peace. Tackling conflicts in the Middle East, the Pope called for a ceasefire on all fronts, stressing that the reality of war is nothing but a tragedy and a senseless massacre that undermines the dignity of each person on this earth. He stressed that it is not enough to end the means of warfare to achieve peace, but we must solve the root of its underlying causes. He said the Vatican is pained by the killings of tens of thousands of Palestinians, mostly women and children in the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. T he Pope demanded humanitarian aid be immediately brought into Gaza, and to provide hospitals, schools and places of worship with all necessary protection, appealing to the international community to work harder to achieve a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. Pope Francis renewed his support for an internationally guaranteed special status for the City of Jerusalem, aiming for lasting peace and security. Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA