Pope Leo XIV on Trump's Gaza peace plan: 'A realistic proposal'
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Pope Leo XIV answers questions during an impromptu Q&A with journalists outside Castel Gandolfo on Sept. 30, 2025. / Credit: EWTN NewsACI Prensa Staff, Oct 1, 2025 / 16:05 pm (CNA).Late Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV answered several questions from journalists at Villa Barberini, the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he addressed various issues.Asked about the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the crisis in Gaza, the pontiff stated: "We hope they accept it. So far, it seems to be a realistic proposal.""It's important, nonetheless, that there be a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. But there are elements there that I think are very interesting, and I hope Hamas will accept it within the established time frame," he added.Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sept. 29 that they have agreed on a plan to end the war, although it is unknown whether Hamas will accept the terms. The 20-point plan seeks to halt the war between Isr...
Pope Leo XIV answers questions during an impromptu Q&A with journalists outside Castel Gandolfo on Sept. 30, 2025. / Credit: EWTN News
ACI Prensa Staff, Oct 1, 2025 / 16:05 pm (CNA).
Late Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV answered several questions from journalists at Villa Barberini, the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, where he addressed various issues.
Asked about the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the crisis in Gaza, the pontiff stated: "We hope they accept it. So far, it seems to be a realistic proposal."
"It's important, nonetheless, that there be a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. But there are elements there that I think are very interesting, and I hope Hamas will accept it within the established time frame," he added.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sept. 29 that they have agreed on a plan to end the war, although it is unknown whether Hamas will accept the terms. The 20-point plan seeks to halt the war between Israel and Hamas through a temporary governing body in Gaza, headed by Trump and also including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The plan does not require population displacement and calls for an immediate end to hostilities if both sides agree. It also demands that the remaining hostages be released within 72 hours of Israel's acceptance of the agreement. Trump assured that Israel would have the "full support" of the United States to defeat Hamas if the armed group rejects the proposal.
The Holy Father also referred to the arrival on the coast of Gaza of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, sent with humanitarian aid and with the purpose of breaking the naval blockade imposed by Israel, despite warnings from the Israeli government, which has demanded the suspension of the mission.
"It's very difficult. There's a desire to respond to a true humanitarian emergency, but there are many elements [involved] there, and all sides are saying that we hope there will be no violence and that people will be respected. That's very important," he noted.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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Notre Dame College in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh / Credit: Stephan Uttom RozarioDhaka, Bangladesh, Dec 10, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).The president of the Bangladesh Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Bejoy D'Cruze of Dhaka, has expressed concern after threats against two prominent Catholic colleges posed "a grave concern for the Catholic Church," particularly ahead of Christmas and elections scheduled for February in a Dec. 3 statement.On Dec. 2, a letter written in Bengali under the name Tawhidee Muslim Janata ("faithful Muslim people") was sent to two of Bangladesh's most prestigious colleges: Notre Dame College, run by the Holy Cross Fathers, and Holy Cross College, run by the Holy Cross Sisters.The letter thanked the Catholic Church for its role in education but said that the Church is now trying to convert not only indigenous groups and Muslims to Christianity by offering various incentives."In a country where 90% of Muslims live, you are trying to convert people by...
