Pope Francis marked Easter Sunday by reiterating his plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Pope Francis: “I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on last October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip. Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population, by now at the limit of its endurance, and, above all, on the children. How much suffering we see in children’s eyes! Those children in that land of war have forgotten how to smile.”