Pope Leo renews call for immediate Gaza ceasefire

Leo also expressed his “deep sorrow” for the Israeli attack on the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip 

Pope Leo blesses the faithful gathered in the square in front of the Apostolic Palace for the noon Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, Italy (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Pope Leo has renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, asking the international community to respect international laws and the obligation to protect civilians.

“I once again call for an immediate end to the barbarity of this war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the pontiff said at the end of his Sunday Angelus prayer from his summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.