

Holy Father Pope Francis spoke with United States (US) President Joe Biden about pursuing peace to the Israel and Hamas war on Sunday, Oct. 22, according to the Vatican News.
Citing information from the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican News stated that the Pope and the US President conversed through a telephone call for around 20 minutes.
"The Pope and the President spoke about "situations of conflict in the world and the need to identify paths to peace"," it said in a news article.
Further information about the conversation was not disclosed.
Last week, the US President left Washington to fly to Israel and met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Biden said he had a chance to talk again with Netanyahu.
"Today, I spoke with @IsraeliPM about developments in Israel and Gaza," he said.
The US President said he expressed his appreciation to the Israeli government for its "support in helping to secure the release of two American hostages."
"Prime Minister Netanyahu and I discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages taken by Hamas," he added.
Bidden affirmed that there would be "a continued flow of this critical aid to Palestinians in need" following the successful transmission of humanitarian assistance in Gaza through the Rafah crossing border last Saturday, Oct. 21.
Today, I spoke with @IsraeliPM about developments in Israel and Gaza.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 22, 2023
The first two convoys of humanitarian assistance arrived in Gaza yesterday, and we affirmed that there will now be a continued flow of this critical aid to Palestinians in need.
Prior to the telephone call, Pope Francis called for the end of the Israel-Hamas war.
"Once again, my thoughts go to what is happening in Israel and Palestine. I am very concerned and saddened," he said during the Angelus prayer.
"I pray and I am close to all those who are suffering, the hostages, the wounded, the victims and their families," the Holy Father added.
Pope Francis said he was saddened by the intense air attack at the Anglican hospital and Greek Orthodox parish in Gaza.
“I renew my appeal for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive, and for hostages to be freed," he furthered.