Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV called for “a just political solution, founded on the equal dignity and equal rights of every human person” in the Holy Land.
He was speaking from Castel Gandolfo – where he is about to conclude his summer retreat – at the end of the Angelus recited today, 26 July, in Piazza della Libertà.
The Pope shares “concern” over the rise in violence in Gaza and the West Bank. He called for “negotiations”, rejecting “further military action and unilateral decisions”, he said.
Leo XIV called in particular for the cessation of those actions “which violate respect for and the status quo of the holy sites of every religious faith”.
This comes as military operations in the West Bank intensify, with raids on Palestinian towns and villages after thousands of Jewish nationalists – joined by Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir – staged one of the largest shows of force in recent days at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, formerly the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, during the Jewish fast of Tisha B’Av.
The Pope’s concern for the Middle East
The Pope’s concern extends to the whole of the Middle East, marked by the persistence of “violence and destruction”, which puts “the lives of numerous civilians at serious risk”.
to this is a severe “shortage of drinking water and electricity” – the inland areas are among the most water-scarce in the entire world.
“From the depths of my heart, I urge all parties involved to suspend attacks and to urgently reopen channels of dialogue and diplomacy, so as to achieve peace as soon as possible – a peace so dearly desired for the entire region,” he continued.
Speaking from Castel Gandolfo, the Pope also recalled the beatification of Elia Hoayek, “a man of dialogue and hope”, Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites (1899–1931) and Founder of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. Known as the “Father of Greater Lebanon”, he was raised to the honours of the altars yesterday in Dimane, in northern Lebanon, in the presence of Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
“For more than thirty years, he led the Maronite Church with great dedication and pastoral sensitivity,” he recalled. “May the prayers and intercession of the newly Blessed always accompany the Maronite faithful throughout the world and obtain the gift of peace for the entire people of Lebanon, who are so dear to me.”
The Pope also expressed his solidarity with France and Spain, which have been hit by a wave of “devastating fires” in various locations. “I express my solidarity and invite everyone to pray for those affected and for the work of the rescue teams,” he said.
Alos on the occasion of the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which is celebrated today – with the theme “Yet I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49:15) – Pope Leo gave thanks “for the gift” that the elderly represent for the Church and society. He called for their “precious role” to be valued by ensuring they receive “the proper care and attention”.
Commentary on the Gospel
Before the Marian prayer, the Pope commented on the Gospel of the day (Mt 13:44–52), in which Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God as a “treasure hidden in a field”.
“The parables convey the surprise of those who find what they could not even have hoped for, to the point that selling or leaving everything behind no longer seems a sacrifice, but a gain,” he explained.
“The Kingdom of God reveals its inestimable beauty in different ways, but calls everyone – men and women, young and old, poor and rich – to a profound renewal.”
The Pope recalled that the Church is a “communion of people of different origins, cultures, skills and levels of responsibility”. All of them – regardless of their roles and distinctions – “are called to recognise themselves as ‘one’ in Jesus Christ: He is the hidden treasure, the precious pearl, the net that gathers in those who are scattered”.
“God shows no partiality, and his choice is one of special favour, especially for those who are small and cast aside.” Leo XIV therefore asked for the gift of “distinguishing the pearl of great value”, resisting the “consumer industry
