Pope Leo XIV only mentioned one of the conflicts afflicting the world in his first general audience this May 21, 2025: "the situation in the Gaza Strip."
The Pope said the situation is "increasingly worrying and painful." And he added:
I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, the heart-rending price of which is being paid by children, the elderly, and the sick.
On Monday, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would be “taking control of all of Gaza.” However Britain and the EU protested with promises of reconsidering their relationship with Israel. Strikes continue in the Gaza Strip with daily reports of new deaths, and a lack of humanitarian aid.
Pope Leo has mentioned Gaza in both of his Regina Caeli addresses.
During Pope Leo XIV's May 11 Regina Caeli address, where the Pontiff pleaded for an end to wars around the world, he singled out the situation in Gaza as one he was particularly concerned about.
“May the fighting cease immediately, may humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released,” he said.
The Pope mentioned the situation again the next week, in his May 18 Regina Caeli address after his inauguration, warning:
In Gaza, the surviving children, families, and elderly are reduced to starvation.
