Pope urges release of all Hamas hostages, concerned by Gaza siege

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican, January 29, 2023. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Wednesday called on militant Islamist group Hamas to release all hostages captured during its weekend attack on Israel, while expressing grave concerns about the “total” Israeli siege imposed on Gaza.

“I pray for those families who saw a feast day turn into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be immediately released,” he said during his weekly audience.

Referring to Israel’s response to Hamas, Francis said: “It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very worried by the total siege in which Palestinians in Gaza live, where there have also been many innocent victims.”