Pope Francis dies aged 88 after urging for Gaza ceasefire
Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed, following his final public appearance on April 20th during which he called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to Middle East Eye on April 21st, the pope condemned the humanitarian conditions in the enclave and urged for the release of hostages and the delivery of aid.
In February, doctors had hospitalised the pope with double pneumonia. Despite his condition, he appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on April 20th which was Easter Sunday, while an aide delivered his benediction. In his message, he described the situation in Gaza as a “deplorable humanitarian” crisis.
Before his hospitalisation, Pope Francis had repeatedly criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. In a televised interview on May 24th, 2024, he stated that he called Gaza’s Holy Family Church daily. According to The New Arab on May 2024, as cited by Levantis, the church had been sheltering over 600 people.
The pope noted that food was scarce and that people rushed to receive supplies whenever they arrived.
The pope said that people often rushed when aid arrived because food and essential supplies were limited. In December, Israeli snipers killed two Palestinian women near the church. On the same day, artillery fire struck a convent, causing significant damage.
Pope Francis previously referred to the killings of civilians as “a crime” and labelled some of Israel’s actions as “terrorism.”
In January, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the Vatican’s ambassador following the pope’s remarks. This response came after Pope Francis described Israel’s attacks on schools and hospitals as acts of “cruelty” and stated that “they bombed children.”
Middle East Eye, The New Arab
