Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, March 31, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, March 31, 2024
In Easter message, pope calls for hostages to be released and immediate Gaza ceasefire
Pope Francis presides over the Easter Mass as part of the Holy Week celebrations, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on March 31, 2024. (Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Pope Francis renews his calls for the release of hostages held in Gaza and an immediate ceasefire, as fresh truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas were due to begin in Cairo.
“I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip,” the Pope says in his Easter message in the Vatican.
