LONDON 

Pope Leo XIV called the ceasefire that came into effect in Gaza a “glimmer of hope” for the region, urging all parties to continue working courageously toward a just and lasting peace.

Speaking after traditional Sunday Angelus prayers in St Peter’s Square, the pope spoke on Gaza, where, he said, “two years of conflict have left death and destruction everywhere. Especially in the hearts of those who have brutally lost their children, their parents, their friends – everything.”

His message followed recent signs of progress in peace efforts, after an agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas.

The pontiff welcomed the news, calling it a “message of hope,” and encouraged all sides “to continue, with courage, along the path toward a just, lasting peace that honors the legitimate aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.”

He prayed that humanity might rediscover the ability to see others “not as an enemy, but as a brother,” capable of forgiveness and worthy of reconciliation.

Turning to Ukraine, Leo also said his "heart is united with the suffering of the population,” renewing his appeal for an end to the bloodshed and for dialogue to prevail.

Last month, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza that includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip.

Arab and Muslim countries have, by and large, welcomed the plan, but some officials have also said that many details in it need discussion and negotiations to be fully implemented.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 67,600 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it largely uninhabitable.