Pope Leo XIV urges Israel to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza

Pope Leo XIV appealed on Wednesday for Israel to open Gaza’s borders to humanitarian aid, describing the situation in the Palestinian territory as “deeply worrying and heartbreaking.”

During his weekly general audience at St Peter’s Square, the pope emphasised the urgent need to stop hostilities, warning that the gravest suffering falls on children, the elderly and the sick.

“I renew my plea … to allow for the entry of fair humanitarian help and to bring to an end the hostilities,” he said, calling for an immediate halt to the violence that continues to devastate the enclave.