Rome, 12 October 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Pope Leo XIV said the ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip "has given a spark of hope in the Holy Land," in remarks made during his Sunday prayer before tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square.

"I encourage the parties involved to continue courageously on the path they have chosen, towards a just and lasting peace that respects the legitimate aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples," said the head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.