The "barbarity of war" and forced displacement of people have to end, and civilians and places of worship have to be protected, Pope Leo XIV implored.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday slammed the "barbarity" of Israel's war on Gaza as its campaign of mass killing and starvation in the Palestinian territory continues.

Pope Leo XIV reiterated a plea for peace in Gaza on Sunday, July 20, amid the Israel-Hamas war. Following his weekly Angeles address, the pontiff expressed sorrow over the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza on Thursday,