Pope calls for end to ‘collective punishment’ and forced displacement in Gaza

Pope Leo XIV reads his message during the weekly general audience at the Vatican (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Pope Leo XIV has demanded that Israel stop the “collective punishment” and forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza as he pleaded for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the besieged territory amid preparations by Israel for a new military offensive.

Leo was interrupted twice by applause as he read aloud his latest appeal for an end to the 22-month war during his weekly general audience attended by thousands of people in the Vatican’s auditorium.