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©(Simone Risoluti, AFP)
Pope Francis expressed his concern for the social and economic situation in Lebanon. “I hope that the institutional impasse that is bringing down Lebanon will be resolved and that the land of the Cedars will soon have a president,” stated the Pope, during his traditional New Year's address to the diplomatic corps on Monday.
Reiterating his worry about the situation in Israel and Palestine, the Pope condemned “all forms of terrorism and extremism.”
“I reiterate my appeal to all concerned parties for a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and for the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza,” he stated before the 180 diplomats that gathered in the Hall of Blessings in St. Peter’s Basilica.
“I ask that the Palestinian people be given humanitarian aid and that hospitals, schools and places of worship be given all necessary protection,” he further appealed. “I hope that the international community will resolutely pursue a two-state solution, one Israeli and one Palestinian, with a special internationally guaranteed status for the city of Jerusalem, so that Israelis and Palestinians can finally live in peace and security.”
“In a context where discernment between military and civilian objectives no longer seems to be observed, there is no conflict that does not somehow end up blindly striking civilians,” Pope Francis insisted, “the developments in Ukraine and Gaza are ample proof of this.”
“Civilian victims are not collateral damage. They are men and women with first and last names who are losing their lives. They are children left orphaned and deprived of a future. They are people who suffer from hunger, thirst and cold, or who remain mutilated because of the power of modern machines,” emphasized the Pope, calling for a greater commitment from the international community to “safeguard and implement humanitarian law, which seems to be the only way to protect human dignity in war instances.”
Evoking global warming, bioethical issues and the persecution of Christians around the world, the Pope spent 45 minutes providing an overview of international issues. He also expressed his “deep concern” for the increase in anti-Semitic acts in recent months.
Reiterating his worry about the situation in Israel and Palestine, the Pope condemned “all forms of terrorism and extremism.”
“I reiterate my appeal to all concerned parties for a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and for the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza,” he stated before the 180 diplomats that gathered in the Hall of Blessings in St. Peter’s Basilica.
“I ask that the Palestinian people be given humanitarian aid and that hospitals, schools and places of worship be given all necessary protection,” he further appealed. “I hope that the international community will resolutely pursue a two-state solution, one Israeli and one Palestinian, with a special internationally guaranteed status for the city of Jerusalem, so that Israelis and Palestinians can finally live in peace and security.”
“In a context where discernment between military and civilian objectives no longer seems to be observed, there is no conflict that does not somehow end up blindly striking civilians,” Pope Francis insisted, “the developments in Ukraine and Gaza are ample proof of this.”
“Civilian victims are not collateral damage. They are men and women with first and last names who are losing their lives. They are children left orphaned and deprived of a future. They are people who suffer from hunger, thirst and cold, or who remain mutilated because of the power of modern machines,” emphasized the Pope, calling for a greater commitment from the international community to “safeguard and implement humanitarian law, which seems to be the only way to protect human dignity in war instances.”
Evoking global warming, bioethical issues and the persecution of Christians around the world, the Pope spent 45 minutes providing an overview of international issues. He also expressed his “deep concern” for the increase in anti-Semitic acts in recent months.
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