"The situation in Gaza remains dramatic, the military operation has begun. Hunger is there and you can feel it, the Pope said it clearly, and it is very difficult, today, to see a way out."

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said this in an interview with Il Messaggero. "We - he added - always hope that the negotiations can lead to at least a temporary ceasefire that gives the population some respite, but it is very difficult to understand if, how and when."

Herzog invited the Pope to Israel : "I believe that the Pope will come to Israel sooner or later. We must prepare the visit well, create the conditions, which perhaps today, given the way things are, are not there. We will not have peace soon. However, there must be a situation of greater serenity that is not there at the moment. We need to stop the war. But let's let the Pope breathe a little. Sooner or later, this visit will take place."

"Saint Paul in the second letter to the Corinthians says very clearly: you have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Peace is the work for which the Christian community must work. Problems will never be lacking in the Middle East, we must not let ourselves be too frightened by these situations. There is also so much good, there is also so much desire to collaborate and get to know each other, and the Church has the primary mission of promoting reconciliation."

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