Pope Francis: How Israelis and Palestinians Celebrate Christmas

Pope Francis stated today, Tuesday, that Israelis and Palestinians are living in "pain and mourning" during the Christmas season, as the war in Gaza intensifies. He called for prayers for them and for providing "concrete assistance" to the devastated region. Francis wrote on the social media platform "X," saying, "For the inhabitants of the Holy Land, Christmas approaches amid a state of pain and mourning. We do not want to leave them alone. We hope to stand by them with prayer and concrete help..." Pope Francis has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of all hostages held by Hamas.