VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has once again called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as he continues to recover from pneumonia.
The pontiff’s Easter message was read by an aide while he appeared briefly from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing. The Pope did not preside over Mass, following his doctors’ advice to limit physical exertion.
In his message, Pope Francis described the situation in Gaza as “dramatic and deplorable,” urging both Israel and Hamas to end the violence, release hostages, and address the severe hunger faced by civilians. He also condemned the rising wave of antisemitism worldwide.
Meanwhile, Hamas rejected a new Israeli proposal for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to intensify operations against Hamas.
According to reports, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023, following a deadly Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
On the same day, Pope Francis also held a brief meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican as part of Easter greetings.
