Easter Message: 'Release hostages' - Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis on Easter Sunday called for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine militant group, Hamas.

The Catholic pontiff, who is still recovering from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday as an aide read out his “Urbi et Orbi” – Latin for “To the city and the world”.

The 88-year-old condemned the “deplorable humanitarian situation” caused by Israel’s 18-month war on Gaza.

“I express my closeness to the sufferings … of all th...
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]