Pope makes first public statement on Gaza ceasefire agreement
Elise Ann Allen/Crux• January 20, 2025
Pope Francis has made the Vatican’s first public statement about the ceasefire agreement to the war in Gaza since it was announced last week.
As the ceasefire took effect on Sunday, Pope Francis praised the milestone, voicing hope that the authorities involved, alongside international leaders, can achieve a lasting peace. The pontiff also advocated for a two-state solution.
“I express my gratitude to all of the mediators,” the Pope said during his Angelus address on 19 January, adding that mediation is important work “because it makes peace”.
Pope Francis also thanked all those who helped achieve the ceasefire, voicing his hope that what was agreed would be “immediately respected by the parties and that all the hostages can finally return home, and embrace their loved ones again”.
He added that he is praying for the families of Israeli hostages and also recognised the need for humanitarian workers to be able to reach needy populations in Gaza as soon as possible.
“Both Israelis and Palestinians need clear signs of hope,” the Holy Father said, expressing his hope that political authorities in both territories, with the help of the international community, “can reach a just solution for two states”.
“Everyone can say yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, and yes to peace,” he said, urging everyone to pray together for those things to be achieved.
The Gaza war has been raging since the October 7 surprise attack in 2023 by Hamas militants that left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 250 taken as hostages. Of the roughly 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, a third are believed to be dead, according to Israeli Defence Forces.
Following the attack, Israel immediately launched a retaliatory offensive in Gaza to oust Hamas from power and destroy its military capability, with the subsequent conflict resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 people in Gaza – a figure comprising both civilian casualties as well as combatants – according to Palestinian estimates.
A ceasefire agreement in Gaza was announced on 15 January, involving the cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the release of hostages still in captivity.
Now that the ceasefire has begun, Israel and Hamas will need to reach a second agreement for it to continue beyond the initial 42-day ceasefire period agreed upon.
RELATED: Catholic leaders in Holy Land say it will take much more than a ceasefire to end conflict
Photo: Pope Francis waves from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square during the Angelus address and prayer in the Vatican, Vatican City State, 19 January 2025. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images.)