Vatican City, October 12, 2025 – In a heartfelt address following the traditional Sunday Angelus prayers in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV described the recent ceasefire in Gaza as a “glimmer of hope” for a region ravaged by two years of relentless conflict. The pontiff’s remarks come on the heels of a fragile agreement between Israel and Hamas, marking a potential turning point in a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left Gaza in ruins. Calling for courage and reconciliation, the pope urged all parties to pursue a “just and lasting peace” that respects the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
“Two years of conflict have left death and destruction everywhere,” Pope Leo XIV said, his voice heavy with emotion. “Especially in the hearts of those who have brutally lost their children, their parents, their friends – everything.” The pontiff’s words resonated with the thousands gathered in the square, many of whom held signs calling for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, another region he addressed during his remarks. He described the ceasefire as a “message of hope” and encouraged both sides to continue down the path of dialogue, emphasizing the need to see others “not as an enemy, but as a brother,” capable of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The Gaza ceasefire, which came into effect last week, follows months of intense diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The agreement, based on a 20-point plan unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump in September 2025, includes provisions for the release of all Israeli captives held by Hamas in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. It also outlines a permanent ceasefire and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, alongside commitments to allow humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts to begin. While the plan has been broadly welcomed by Arab and Muslim countries, some officials have cautioned that significant details remain unresolved, requiring further negotiations to ensure its full implementation.
The conflict in Gaza, which erupted in October 2023, has been one of the deadliest in the region’s history. According to Palestinian health authorities, Israeli military operations have killed over 67,600 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children. The relentless bombardment and ground offensives have rendered much of Gaza uninhabitable, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, critical infrastructure destroyed, and an estimated 1.9 million people displaced. The United Nations has described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe, with widespread shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. On the Israeli side, the conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw over 250 individuals taken captive, prompting Israel’s large-scale military response.
Pope Leo XIV’s remarks reflect the Vatican’s longstanding advocacy for peace in the Holy Land, a region of profound religious significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The pontiff, who ascended to the papacy in 2024, has made interfaith dialogue and reconciliation central themes of his tenure, frequently calling for an end to violence and the recognition of the dignity of all peoples. His address on Sunday was not only a plea for peace in Gaza but also a broader appeal for humanity to rediscover its capacity for compassion. “We must learn again to see one another as brothers and sisters,” he said, urging global leaders to prioritize dialogue over division.
The pope also turned his attention to Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion, now in its fourth year, continues to exact a devastating toll. “My heart is united with the suffering of the population,” he said, renewing his call for an end to the bloodshed and for dialogue to prevail. The war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers, displaced millions, and caused widespread destruction across the country. Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly offered to mediate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, though such efforts have yet to yield a breakthrough. His comments on Sunday underscored the Vatican’s commitment to advocating for peace in multiple global conflicts, drawing parallels between the suffering in Gaza and Ukraine.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement, while a significant step, remains fragile. Analysts note that previous attempts at ceasefires have collapsed due to violations by both sides or disagreements over implementation. The 20-point plan, hailed as a diplomatic milestone, includes provisions for international oversight of the ceasefire, the establishment of a demilitarized buffer zone, and guarantees for Gaza’s reconstruction. However, challenges remain, including Hamas’s demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal and Israel’s insistence on security guarantees to prevent future attacks. Arab states, including Egypt and Jordan, have emphasized the need for a comprehensive peace process that addresses the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the status of Jerusalem and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
International reactions to the ceasefire have been cautiously optimistic. The United Nations Security Council issued a statement welcoming the agreement and calling for all parties to adhere to its terms. U.S. President Trump, who has made the ceasefire a cornerstone of his foreign policy agenda, described it as a “historic achievement” but acknowledged that “the hard work of implementation lies ahead.” European Union leaders have pledged financial support for Gaza’s reconstruction, while Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have signaled their willingness to fund humanitarian and rebuilding efforts, provided the ceasefire holds.
For the people of Gaza, the ceasefire offers a rare moment of respite after two years of unrelenting violence. Aid organizations have begun mobilizing to deliver emergency supplies, but the scale of the crisis remains daunting. Hospitals, many of which were damaged or destroyed during the conflict, are overwhelmed with patients, and the lack of electricity and clean water continues to exacerbate public health challenges. UNICEF has reported that thousands of children in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition, while the psychological toll of the war has left deep scars on the population.
In Israel, the ceasefire has sparked mixed reactions. While some view it as a necessary step to end the cycle of violence, others, particularly hardline political factions, argue that it concessions too much to Hamas. Families of the Israeli captives have expressed relief at the prospect of their loved ones’ release but remain anxious about the agreement’s durability. Public demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have called for both peace and accountability, reflecting the deep divisions within Israeli society over the conflict.
Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace resonates in a world weary of war but uncertain about the path forward. His vision of reconciliation, rooted in forgiveness and mutual respect, challenges leaders and individuals alike to move beyond entrenched divisions. The pontiff’s emphasis on seeing others as “brothers” rather than enemies echoes the teachings of his predecessors, who also sought to bridge divides in the Holy Land and beyond. As the ceasefire in Gaza takes hold, the international community watches closely, hoping that this “glimmer of hope” can withstand the pressures of history and politics.
In his closing remarks, the pope invoked a prayer for both Gaza and Ukraine, asking for divine guidance to lead humanity toward peace. “May we find the courage to build a world where no one is left behind,” he said, his words met with applause from the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. As the sun set over the Vatican, the pope’s message carried a universal appeal: that even in the darkest of times, the possibility of peace remains within reach, if only humanity dares to pursue it.
The road ahead for Gaza, as for Ukraine, is fraught with challenges, but the ceasefire represents a rare opportunity to break the cycle of violence. Whether it will lead to a lasting peace depends on the willingness of all parties to honor their commitments and address the root causes of the conflict. For now, Pope Leo XIV’s words serve as both a moral compass and a reminder of the human cost of war, urging the world to choose dialogue over destruction.
