Pope calls Biden, announces day of fasting and prayer for peace

Image Vatican Media

Source: Vatican News

On Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis spoke by phone with US President Joe Biden. According to the Holy See Press Office, the conversation lasted around 20 minutes. The Pope and the President spoke about "situations of conflict in the world and the need to identify paths to peace."

Earlier, after the Angelus with pilgrims in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for the free flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and for the release of the hostages, saying every war is really a defeat.

The Pope expressed his concern and grief over what is happening in Israel and Palestine. He said: "I am very concerned, grieved. I pray and I am close to all those who are suffering, the hostages, the wounded, the victims and their families."

The Pope said he is very concerned over "the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza," and was "saddened that the Anglican hospital and the Greek Orthodox parish" were hit in the war violence in recent days.

"I renew my appeal for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive and for hostages to be freed."

"War, any war that there is in the world - I also think of martyred Ukraine," the Pope continued, "is a defeat. War always is a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop! Stop!"

The Pope then told the crowds he has called for a day of fasting, prayer and penance on Friday, 27 October.

That day, in St Peter's, at 6pm, there will be an hour of prayer for peace in our world.