VATICAN CITY, May 16, 2018 (WAFA) - Pope Francis Wednesday expressed concern over escalating violence in the Middle East after the Israeli army killed at least 60 Palestinians in Gaza while protesting opening the US embassy in occupied Jerusalem.

He said during his weekly audience at the Vatican, "I am very worried about the escalation of tensions in the Holy Land and the Middle East, and about the spiral of violence which moves us ever further away from the path of peace, dialogue and negotiation.”

"I express my great sorrow for the dead and wounded and I am close through prayer and affection to all those who suffer," said the Pope.

He called for dialogue, justice and peace, stressing that violence has never led to peace. “War incites war, violence incites violence.”

T.R./M.H.