Pope welcomes Gaza ceasefire, prays for aid to be sent quickly

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Source: Vatican Media

During his weekly Angelus address with pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the Gaza ceasefire. He calls for the agreement to be respected and for aid to enter Gaza. He also applauded Cuba's recent announcement to release prisoners in the spirit of the Jubilee Year and remembers the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Turning first to the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the Pope thanked the mediators and all those involved who worked to make it possible.

Pope Francis expressed his hope that "what has been agreed will be respected immediately by the parties" and that all the hostages will finally be able to return home, and embrace again their loved ones. "I pray a lot for them and their families," he said.

Moreover, the Pope prayed that the "so-urgently-needed" humanitarian aid will be able to arrive in Gaza as soon as possible in large quantities, and reiterated the Holy See's stance on working toward an eventual 'Two-State' solution.

Both the Israelis and the Palestinians, Pope Francis insisted, need "clear signs" of hope. "I trust that the political authorities of both of them, with the help of the international community, may reach the right solution for the two States."

"May everyone be able to say: yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace," as he called on all faithful to pray for the achievement of these three elements.

"I hope that what has been agreed will be respected immediately by the parties, and that all the hostages may finally return home and embrace their loved ones."

The Pope next expressed his delight for Cuba's announcement this week, stating it will release from prison 553 people "convicted of various crimes." The decision was communicated to Pope Francis earlier this month in a letter from Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel, who indicated that the release of prisoners was made "in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025."

"This," Pope Francis stressed, "is a gesture of great hope that embodies one of the intentions of this Jubilee Year."

"I hope that in the coming months, we will continue to undertake initiatives of this type, which instil confidence in the journey of people and populations."

In his Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis proposed that "governments undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope; forms of amnesty or pardon meant to help individuals regain confidence in themselves and in society; and programmes of reintegration in the community, including a concrete commitment to respect for law."

Finally, the Holy Father turned his attention to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18-25 January, before wishing those gathered a good lunch and good Sunday.

"In these days of prayer for Christian unity," Pope Francis insisted, "let us not cease to invoke from God the precious gift of full communion between all the Lord's disciples."

"Let us pray always," he invited, "for tormented Ukraine, for Palestine, Israel, Myanmar and all the populations who are suffering because of war."

"Let us pray always for tormented Ukraine, for Palestine, Israel, Myanmar and all the populations who are suffering because of war."

Watch the Angelus on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xVkvP_5Xi8

Read the full official English translation: www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-01/pope-francis-angelus-19-january-2025.html