Vatican officials said about 70,000 people filled St. Peter's Square for Francis' noonday speech and blessing. They included many people flying Palestinian flags, as well as some Ukrainian ones.
Palestinian Christians have felt abandoned by global Christian church leaders’ statements on the Israel-Hamas war, with some viewing the war as a moment for Western denominations to reckon with their colonialist past.
'It’s war, it’s terrorism,' Pope Francis said.
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, offers this first entry in our week exploring the theme of Advent during a time of bloodshed in Israel.
The demonstrators, who were later arrested, noted the ongoing Jewish holiday, shouting, 'No Hanukkah to celebrate, cease-fire cannot wait!'
'All we want for Christmas is a constant and comprehensive cease-fire and an end to this war,' said the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of Bethlehem’s Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church.
'We must join forces with Jews and Christians and Muslims around the world who are calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, and the safe return of all hostages and civilian prisoners," said the Rev. William Barber II.
Asked about Biden’s calls for 'humanitarian pauses' in the fighting, Barbara Williams-Skinner, CEO and co-founder of Skinner Leadership Institute, said: ‘It’s not adequate.’
Church leaders are conducting weekly workshops to train traditional and church leadership in how to promote peace in their communities.
In a region that unfortunately needs advocates for peace and justice now more than ever with the outburst of another war, this issue of A Public Witness takes you to the holy land of Lebanon to see the inspirational work of God's people.