Pope Francis set to meet families of Israeli captives, besieged Gazans
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The Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni announced that Pope Francis is set to meet with Palestinians who have family members in the Gaza Strip as well as with family members of Israeli captives in the Strip.
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Pope Francis delivers a blessing during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (AP)
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni announced that Pope Francis will meet Palestinian people with relatives in the besieged Gaza Strip and with relatives of Israeli captives held in the Strip, in two separate meetings.
According to the spokesperson the Pope aimed to "demonstrate his spiritual closeness to the suffering of each one," stressing that the meeting will be of an "exclusively humanitarian nature."
The Pope had posted on X that "every human being is sacred, is precious in the eyes of God, and has the right to live in peace."
Read more: Archbishop George Saliba condemns massacre against church in Gaza
Archbishop Hanna: Gaza witnessing new Nakba, ethnic cleansing
Ealier on October 20, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia in occupied al-Quds Atallah Hanna told Al Mayadeen that "bombing the church [Church of Saint Porphyrius] is a new massacre committed by the occupation" and serves as a new attack against Christian heritage.
"The occupation is targeting the Christian presence in Gaza and even in all of Palestine, where Christians are an essential component," the Archbishop added.
He urgently called on His Holiness the Pope and church leaders worldwide to raise their voices and not be content with prayers, stating that "religious authorities should have a clear and explicit stance in support of the people of Gaza who are being targeted."
What is happening in #Gaza can not be summed up by the term "war". They are applying the scorched-earth policy on Gaza; we are witnessing a real catastrophe.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023
- #Palestinian Greek Orthodox Archbishop, Atallah Hanna#PalestineGenocide #GazaGenocide #Palestine #GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/frWs2EabLC
"His Holiness the Pope and all religious leaders in the world should immediately take action in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza," the Archbishop added, stressing that prayers and candlelight vigils for Palestine are not enough as they should be accompanied by clear stances.
He slammed the West for its support of the systematic Israeli crimes in Gaza, affirming that it is complicit in these crimes.
Read more: All Christians should stand up against Palestinian genocide: Maduro
Archbishop Hanna appealed to "every free person in the world and all Arabs to act to stop this aggression today, not tomorrow."
He also said that "what is happening in Gaza cannot be summarized in the word 'war,' but it is a real catastrophe," considering that "Israel applying the scorched-earth policy on Gaza."
He slammed the West for its support of the systematic Israeli crimes in Gaza, affirming that it is complicit in these crimes.
Targeting the Greek Orthodox Church in #Gaza is a new massacre committed by the Israeli occupation. We demand the end of the systemic criminality targeting the steadfast city of Gaza, while the #West stands in solidarity with "Israel", rendering it complicit in these crimes.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023
-… https://t.co/yVJp8qBZZK
Archbishop Hanna appealed to "every free person in the world and all Arabs to act to stop this aggression today, not tomorrow."
Read more: 'Time is running out', vital Gaza aid piling up awaiting opening Rafah
He also said that "what is happening in Gaza cannot be summarized in the word 'war,' but it is a real catastrophe," considering that "Israel applying the scorched-earth policy on Gaza."
Read more: The Future of Arab Christians: One path, one destiny
