THE VATICAN, July 27, 2026 (WAFA) - Pope Leo XIV on Sunday renewed his urgent appeals for peace in the Holy Land and across the Middle East during his Angelus address in Castel Gandolfo, expressing deep concern over the escalating violence and calling for an immediate return to dialogue.

"I continue to follow with deep concern the ongoing and escalating violence in the Holy Land," the Pope said, noting that "many civilians have recently fallen victim, both in the West Bank and in Gaza."

He called for "a return to negotiations aimed at achieving a just political solution, founded on the equal dignity and equal rights of every human person, and for the rejection of further military actions and unilateral decisions, particularly those that violate the respect due to and the status quo of the holy sites of every religious faith."

 “I urge all parties involved to suspend their attacks and urgently reopen avenues of dialogue and diplomacy, so that the peace so greatly desired by the entire region may be achieved without delay,” Pope Leo said.

T.R.