Monday, October 14, 2024 - Pope Francis asked on Sunday for "respect" for UN peacekeepers in Lebanon who have accused the Israeli military of deliberately firing on their positions.
Francis also spoke of his concern for
Ukrainians following a meeting with Ukraine's president.
"I am close to all the people involved,
Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, where I ask that the UN peacekeepers be
respected," Francis said at the Vatican.
The UN peacekeeping mission in southern
Lebanon, UNIFIL, has said that its forces have repeatedly come under fire in
the town of Naqura where it is headquartered, as well as in other positions.
At least five UN peacekeepers have been
wounded as Israeli forces battle local militia group Hezbollah.
Efforts to negotiate a stop to the fighting
in Lebanon and Gaza have so far failed.
"I once again call for an immediate
ceasefire on all fronts that the paths of diplomacy and dialogue be pursued to
achieve peace," Francis said at the end of the Angelus prayer.
"I pray for all the victims, for the
displaced, for the hostages... and I hope that this great and unnecessary
suffering, generated by hatred and revenge, w "Brothers and sisters, war is an illusion.
It will never bring peace, it will never bring security, it is a defeat for
everyone, especially because you believe you are invincible. Please stop",
he added.
Francis met Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky at the Vatican on Friday, as Ukraine faces its toughest winter since
the full-scale invasion started in February 2022 with Russia striking the
country's power grid and advancing across the eastern frontline.
"I address my appeal that Ukrainians
should not be left to freeze to death", Francis said.
"Stop air strikes against the civilian
population, which is always the most affected. Stop the killing of
innocents", he said.
Francis has repeatedly called for peace in
Ukraine and has sought to play a mediating role in the conflict, although his
efforts have yet to yield any results.
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