Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent his condolences to the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis, whom he called the “symbol of tolerance, love and fraternity”.
In his speech in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, Pope Francis said he was thinking “in the people of Gaza, and in his particular Christian community, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation.”
Francis, who has long criticized Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, called on to the parties to conflict to “declare a ceasefire, free the hostages and help a hungry people who aspire to a future of peace!”
During the war, Francis made nocturnal links to Father Gabriele Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, where Christians and Muslims often sought refuge from Israeli bombings.
Hamas also expressed their “sincere condolences” to Catholics around the world after Francis’ death.
“Francisco was known for his significant positions in promoting the values of dialogue between religions and defending understanding and peace among peoples, as well as rejecting hatred and racism,” Hamas said in a statement.
This content was originally published in Palestinian leader says Pope Francis was a “tolerance symbol” on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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