He wants peace.
Pope Francis has designated October 7 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace, marking the first anniversary of a deadly assault on Israel that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages in Gaza. He made this appeal during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which also opened the second session of the General Assembly of the Synod. The Pope urged the Christian community to unite against the ongoing violence and turmoil.
In his message, Pope Francis stressed the importance of working toward peace and urged the faithful to support humanity in these troubled times. He invited synod members to join him at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he would lead a special prayer for peace to the Virgin Mary. His message called for unity, attentiveness to the Lord, and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has called for collective prayer and fasting in response to global conflicts. In the past, he has made similar appeals for countries such as Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. His current plea comes at a time of heightened conflict, where he has called for a ceasefire and the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
The attacks from Gaza one year ago caused widespread devastation, with over 1,200 people killed and more than 250 taken hostage. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive aimed at neutralizing the terrorist group responsible and rescuing the captives. The ongoing conflict has led to extensive damage, particularly in densely populated areas of Gaza, causing numerous civilian casualties and displacement.
The violence has also spread to southern Lebanon, where Israel has launched attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group. Israeli forces have targeted and eliminated key Hezbollah leaders, further intensifying the regional conflict.