The Vatican called on Palestinian and Israeli leadership to implement an immediate ceasefire Friday to end the Gaza conflict, according to Agence France Presse.
Pope Francis reportedly called Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to "remind the presidents [about the need] to bring an end to hostilities, make efforts to promote a truce, peace and reconciliation in the hearts of those involved," according to a statement released from the Vatican.
Francis allegedly added during his call to the two leaders that he considered both Abbas and Peres as "men of peace and seekers of peace" and emphasized that the situation in Gaza was "giving rise to a serious humanitarian emergency."
The two leaders had previously met with the Catholic leader in early June at the Vatican in an unprecedented meeting and joint prayer for peace following the Pope's visit to the Middle East this past May.
