Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Pope Leo makes ‘strong appeal’ for hostages to be freed, permanent Gaza ceasefire reached
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Pope Leo XIV speaks during his general audience in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on August 27, 2025. (Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
Pope Leo makes a “strong appeal” to the global community to end the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for a permanent ceasefire, release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid.
“I once again issue a strong appeal… so that an end may be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death,” the pontiff says in his weekly audience at the Vatican.
“I implore that all hostages be freed, that a permanent ceasefire be reached, that the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and that international humanitarian law be fully respected,” he says.
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