The Pope, ‘let the spiral of violence stop in the Middle East’

(ANSA) – VATICAN CITY, APRIL 14 – “I follow in prayer and with concern, even pain, the news that has arrived in the last few hours on the worsening of the situation in Israel due to the intervention by Iran”, thus the Pope at the Regina Caeli: “I make a heartfelt appeal to stop any action that could fuel a spiral of violence with the risk of dragging the Middle East into an even greater war conflict. No one must threaten the existence of others. Instead, all nations take sides on the side of peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side, in security, it is their deep and legitimate desire, and it is their right”. “Two neighboring states”, reiterated the Pontiff. “Let us reach a ceasefire in Gaza soon and follow the paths of negotiation, negotiation (he repeated, ed.), with determination – he continued -. Let us help that population which has been plunged into a humanitarian catastrophe. Let the kidnapped hostages be released immediately months ago. How much suffering!”. “Let us pray for peace – concluded Francis -: enough with war! Enough with attacks! Enough with violence! Yes to dialogue and yes to peace”. (HANDLE).