Pope Francis urged the release of captives and the provision of humanitarian aid for Gaza yesterday, reinforcing his demand for an end to the Hamas-Israel conflict and characterizing the situation as “very serious.”

The pope has repeatedly appealed for the fighting to halt and for the Gaza Strip to be open to receiving humanitarian aid.

“I continue to think about the serious situation in Palestine and in Israel where many people have lost their lives,” he said after the traditional Angelus prayer at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.

“I beg you in the name of God to stop,cease-firee,” he said.

” I hope all the possibilities are being explored so that a widening of the conflict is absolutely avoided, that the wounded can be helped, that aid can reach Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is very serious, and that the hostages be immediately released.”