The Pope calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

In his first public address in July, Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, called for an immediate ceasefire in the region, citing the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

According to AP news agency, the leader of the world's Catholics noted: "I ask all parties to the current conflicts in all parts of the world, especially in Gaza, where the human condition is very grave and unbearable, that immediately to lay down their arms and agree to the establishment of a ceasefire to pave the way for the establishment of peace."

Pope Francis also asked the peoples of the world to pray for the victory of love over hatred and the disarmament of revenge through forgiveness and emphasized: "I hope that the peoples of countries like Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan, who endured the hardships of war, will soon reach a lasting and desirable peace."

During his speech, the leader of the world's Catholics also called for the elimination of ethnic discrimination, especially discrimination against women in countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan.