During his Angelus address on Jan. 19, 2025, at the Vatican, Pope Francis thanked those who mediated the latest ceasefire in Gaza and expressed his hope that all hostages “may finally return home and embrace their loved ones” and for the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Jan 19, 2025 / 10:35 am (CNA).
PopeFrancisonSundaythankedthemediatorswhobrokeredthelatestceasefiredealinGaza,whichcameintoeffectonJan.19.
AfterprayingtheAngeluswiththousandsofpilgrimsgatheredinSt.Peter’sSquare,theHolyFathersaidtheceasefireisan“importantresult”forthecity,whichhasenduredmorethanoneyearoffightingsinceIsraeldeclaredwaronHamasonOct.7,2023.
“InrecentdaysitwasannouncedthattheceasefireinGazawillcomeintoeffecttoday.Iexpressmygratitudetoallthemediators.Itisagoodjobtomediatesothatpeaceismade.Thankyoutothemediators!”thepopeexclaimedonSunday.
“Ihopethatwhathasbeenagreedwillberespectedimmediatelybytheparties,”headded.
ThousandsgatherinSt.Peter’sSquaretopraytheAngeluswithPopeFrancisonJan.19,2025.Afte
