Pope Leo XIV offered his strongest rebuke yet of the Israel-Hamas war, joining Christian leaders in the region demanding an end to the "forcible mass displacement of civilians."

The pontiff fiercely criticized the "collective punishment" taking place in the Gaza Strip during his Wednesday audience, while simultaneously pleading for the immediate release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

“Today I renew a strong appeal both to the parties involved and to the international community, that an end be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death,” Pope Leo XIV said.

“I appeal for all hostages to be freed, a permanent ceasefire to be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid to be facilitated, and humanitarian law to be fully respe

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