Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed concern over the “desperate” situation in Gaza, calling for everything possible to be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.
Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the pontiff urged all parties to lay down their weapons, the official Vatican News reported.
“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate … everything possible (should) be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said.
Saying that war doesn’t solve anything, Francis said instead it only “sows death and destruction,” increases hatred, and multiplies revenge.
“War erases the future,” he added, urging people to take the side of peace.
His remarks came after Tuesday’s deadly strike on a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of people.
