Pope Francis calls for implementation of Gaza ceasefire, thanks mediators

Pope Francis urged all parties to implement the Gaza ceasefire agreement and expressed gratitude to mediators during his weekly address on Sunday, Vatican News reported.

"I express my gratitude to all the mediators," the pope said from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. "It is a good job to mediate so that peace is made," he added, thanking all who took part in brokering the deal between Israel and Hamas.

The pontiff urged immediate implementation of the agreement and the release of all hostages "to embrace their loved ones."

He also emphasized the critical need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza "even faster and in larger quantities."

Francis urged Israeli and Palestinian authorities to work toward a two-state solution with international support, adding that "everyone should be able to say yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace."

The Gaza ceasefire agreement finally took effect on Sunday after a nearly three-hour delay, with Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, handing over the three Israeli captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City.

As part of the agreement, 90 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons were expected to be released on the first day of the ceasefire.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, nearly 47,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, with over 110,700 injured in what Palestinian officials have called Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, according to local health authorities.