VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis made an urgent plea for a halt to the conflict in Gaza on Sunday, and called for humanitarian aid and help for those injured to ease a “very grave” situation.

Speaking after his weekly Angelus prayer to crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square, he said: “I keep thinking about the grave situation in Palestine and Israel where many people have lost their lives. I pray... stop in the name of God, cease the fire.

“I hope that all will be done to avoid the conflict from widening, that the injured will be rescued, and aid will arrive to the population of Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is very grave.”

The pontiff renewed his calls for a ceasefire and for the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct 7 attack, in particular the children, who he said “must return to their families”.

“Let’s think about the children, all the children involved in this war, like in Ukraine and in other conflicts, their future is being killed,” he said.

Pope Francis, 86, has already called for the creation of humanitarian corridors and said a two-state solution was needed to put an end to the Israel-Hamas war.

A Gaza health official on Sunday said more than 9,770 Palestinians have so far been killed in the war, which began when Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,400 people and taking hostage more than 240.

The Pope said his prayers were also addressed to the Nepal earthquake victims, Afghan refugees and the victims in Italy's floods. REUTERS