As he prepares to return to the Vatican after being hospitalized in the Italian capital, Rome, for treatment of severe pneumonia, Pope Francis renewed his call for peace and urged an end to the violence in Gaza.
Before returning to the Vatican to begin two months of recovery, Pope Francis wrote in the Angelus prayer: "I am saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in a large number of casualties."
The Pope called for an "immediate ceasefire" and urged the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages can be released and a permanent ceasefire can be reached. He added that "the humanitarian situation in Gaza is once again very dire," emphasizing that "this requires urgent commitment from both the warring parties and the international community."
Pope Francis, who appeared visibly fatigued, appeared on the hospital balcony to bless the crowd gathered below, marking his first public appearance in five weeks before leaving the hospital after recovering from a bout of pneumonia.
The Pope raised his thumb in a clear effort to greet the crowd, after being wheeled onto the balcony overlooking the main entrance of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where hundreds had gathered to check on him and see him.
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