FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND, org. After the strong call issued last Sunday to continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land, the Holy Father personally telephoned President Shimon Peres and President Mahmud Abbas on July 18th, to share his very serious concerns regarding the current conflict involving in particular the Gaza Strip which, in a climate of growing hostility, hatred and suffering for the two populations, is claiming many victims and giving rise to a serious humanitarian emergency.
The Holy Father shared with his callers, who he considers “to be men of peace and seekers of peace,” of the need to continue to pray and endeavor to ensure that all interested parties and those who hold political office at local and international level work to bring an end to hostilities, making efforts to promote truce, peace and reconciliation in the hearts.”
Moreover, according to the Vatican, he expressed “his very serious concerns” for the conflicts in the Holy Land and the situation in Gaza that “in a climate of growing hostilities, hatred and suffering for the two populations, is claiming many victims and giving rise to a serious humanitarian emergency.”
The Holy See related that the Pope had assured them, as he did on his trip to the Holy Land and during the invocation for peace on June 8th, in which both leaders participated, “of his ceaseless prayer” and that of all the Church for peace.
Source: RD, Vatican Radio
Original in Spanish. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
