Pope Francis set to meet hostage families and FM in Vatican tomorrow

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

People hold an Israeli national flag at St. Peter's square before Pope Francis Regina Coeli prayer on April 7, 2024 in The Vatican. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)
People hold an Israeli national flag at St. Peter's square before Pope Francis Regina Coeli prayer on April 7, 2024 in The Vatican. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)

Pope Francis will meet families of hostages in the Vatican tomorrow, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The families are joining Foreign Minister Israel Katz for his visit to Rome and the Vatican around the six-month mark from the October 7 attack.

Katz will also meet with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States, and will discuss the importance of increasing pressure on Hamas to release the hostages in Gaza.

Today, Katz is meeting with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, along with Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.

In a statement, Katz thanks the pope for agreeing to meet with the families “in order to strengthen them and to support bringing the hostages home.”

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