VATICAN (ROME), OCT 18: Pope Francis expressed on Wednesday his concerns over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons and all Christians to pray and fast on 27 October for peace. Speaking at his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Palestine and Israel pleading that "everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe."

In light of these circumstances, he implored, "Lay down weapons and heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children," expressing concerns about the possible extension of the ongoing conflict at a time when there are multiple open war fronts in the world." "War solves no problems," he said. "It only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future, it erases the future." "On Friday, 27 October the central event will be an hour of prayer at 6:00 PM in St. Peter's Square, with the goal of invoking peace for the world. "I invite all the particular Churches to take part by organizing similar initiatives that involve the people of God," he concluded. (KUNA) -