Pope Francis today, Sunday, issued an urgent call to stop the aggression on Gaza, calling for the provision of humanitarian aid and assistance to the injured to alleviate the very serious situation.

Pope Francis said before a crowd in St. Peter's Square, after the "Angelus" prayer, "I continue to think about the serious situation in Palestine, where many people have lost their lives. I implore you in the name of God to stop and declare a ceasefire."

He also added: "I hope that all measures will be taken to avoid an escalation of the conflict, that the wounded will be helped, and that aid will reach the residents of Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is very serious."

The Pope also renewed his calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), focusing on the children whom he said "must return to their families."

He said, "Let us think of the children, all the children involved in this war, in Ukraine and other conflicts: this way, their future is being killed."