Pope Leo XIV He replied This Tuesday, September 30, several questions from journalists in Villa Barberini, Pontifical Residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he addressed international current issues.
Asked about the plan proposed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to resolve the crisis in Gaza, the Pontiff said: “We hope they accept it. So far it seems that it is a realistic proposal.”
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“It is important, anyway, that there is a cessation of fire, the release of hostages. But there are elements there that I think they are very interesting and I hope Hamas accepts it in the established time,” he added.
According to information from Associated Press (AP)Trump and Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Monday that they have agreed to end the war, although it is unknown if Hamas will accept the terms. The plan, composed of 20 points, seeks to stop the war between Israel and Hamas through a temporary government board in Gaza, headed by Trump and also integrated by former British prime minister Tony Blair.
The plan does not require the displacement of the population and asks for the immediate end of hostilities in case both parties accept it. It also requires that the remaining hostages be released within 72 hours after the acceptance of the agreement by Israel. Trump said Tel Aviv would have the “total support” of the United States to defeat Hamas in case the armed group rejects the proposal.
The Holy Father also referred to the arrival on the coast of Gaza of vessels of the Global Sumud flotilla, sent with humanitarian aid and with the purpose of breaking the naval block imposed by Israel, despite the warnings of the Israeli government, which has demanded the suspension of the mission.
“It is very difficult. It shows the desire to respond to a true humanitarian emergency, but there are many elements there and from all parties it is being said that we hope there is no violence, that people are respected. That is very important,” he said.
Regarding recent statements by the Secretary of Defense of the United States, Pete Hegseth, who said that the military forces are lists, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern: “This way of speaking is worrying, because it shows an increase in tensions every time.”
“That vocabulary, even changing from ‘Minister of Defense’ to ‘Minister of War’, we hope it is just a way of speaking. Of course they have a style of government in which they want to show strength to press, and hopefully that works, but that there is no war. You always have to work for peace,” concluded León XIV.
Diego López Marina
I was born in 1991. I have a degree in Communication Sciences. Since 2015 I work as a digital journalist. I started my career in the newspaper El Comercio in Peru. In 2016, I began as editor in ACI Press and I perform as a web editor since 2018. From 2024, I write the Newsletter for Social Media. I specialize in Catholic news focused on the defense of life and family, international politics, technology, popular culture and the Vatican.