Pope Leo XIV Calls For Aid to Reach Gaza

In his first general audience as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV delivered an appeal for humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip and urged an end to the intentional suffering inflicted by Israel. Addressing an estimated 40,000 Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, the newly elected American pope denounced the violence and called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “increasingly worrying and painful.”

“I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entrance of dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza and to put an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is being paid by children, the elderly and sick people,” he said.

The weekly address is a tradition that goes back decades that allows ordinary people a direct encounter with the Holy Father.

The pope’s plea comes amid intensifying concern from aid agencies and international human rights organizations. The United Nations backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has warned of imminent famine in Gaza where access to food, water and medical supplies remains critically limited.

The humanitarian situation has worsened following Israeli airstrikes on May 20 that killed numerous civilians, including children and brought the death toll since October 2023 into the tens of thousands. Israel has imposed an 11 week blockade on Gaza, allowing minimal aid into the territory.  Under mounting international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday the blockade would be lifted. Citing that 93 aid trucks had entered Gaza on Tuesday, compared to just five the day before.

Despite the increase, the U.N. reported on Wednesday that much of the aid had not reached those in dire need. As thousands of trucks wait at the Egyptian border to be allowed through, experts warn the current deliveries remain insufficient in the face of growing casualties and mass starvation.

Sandesh Almeida, one of 40 members of a pilgrim group from the Diocese of Mumbai, India, attended the general audience, and said that he was immediately impressed by the kindness shown by the new pontiff.

“Peace is a good message from him,” he said. “Now with India and Pakistan … we should go for peace and the pope is mostly focusing on peace,” he told the Catholic News Agency.

In a further sign of his priorities, Pope Leo on Tuesday reaffirmed the Vatican’s readiness to host the next found of ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, The announcement followed a phone call with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Meloni expressed gratitude for the pope’s “incessant commitment in favor of peace.”

Pope Leo XIV’s debut has shown his commitment to peace, advocacy and diplomacy. While it’s not yet clear what impact his words will have, his message is a strong reminder that compassion, empathy and action are needed now more than ever.