Pope Francis has denounced the “extremely grave” humanitarian situation in Gaza while appealing for the release of captives and a ceasefire in the war-torn coastal enclave. In his Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) address on Wednesday at the Vatican,

Prior to offering his blessing "urbi et orbi," Francis prayed for peace in Ukraine, the Holy Land, Lebanon and Syria, and in Africa.

Israeli bombardments and blockades threaten the existence of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world