Pope Leo XIV has expressed his deep concern over the rise of anti-Semitic hatred in the world, referring to the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, northern England, which occurred earlier this week.
He also expressed sadness over the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, noting that this situation continues to weigh on the entire world.
In a speech delivered during Sunday's Angelus prayer, the first American pope said: "I express my concern about the rise of anti-Semitic hatred in the world, as we unfortunately saw with the terrorist attack in Manchester a few days ago. I continue to be saddened by the endless suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza."
The Pope, who has been a key figure in international peace efforts, acknowledged that some important steps have been taken in the ceasefire negotiations to bring an end to the violence. He urged all responsible parties to commit to bringing about the earliest possible possibility of a lasting ceasefire, seeking to alleviate the suffering of civilians and secure the release of hostages.
He also stressed that he hoped that these efforts would achieve the desired results as soon as possible, appealing for a joint commitment of the international community towards peace.
The Pope’s concern about anti-Semitic hatred comes after a series of violent attacks in several European cities, deepening concerns about a renewed wave of extremism and violence. The situation in Gaza has also reached a climax after months of violence and blockades that have left thousands dead and injured, and have created a humanitarian crisis.
