Many of us will have been shocked and deeply saddened by the news over the weekend of the terrible loss of life, injury and destruction in Israel and Gaza – suffering which is continuing and, without a ceasefire, will only increase.

On Saturday, His Eminence the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called for prayer and sent a message to all priests of the Latin Patriarchate asking them and all believers to ‘offer Sunday Mass for the intention of ceasefire and an end to the ongoing war in the Holy Land, asking the Lord to prevent further bloodshed, shattering of lives and burial of hopes.’

Speaking after the Angelus prayer in Rome yesterday, Pope Francis pleaded for an end to the attacks and repeated what he has said before, ‘War is always a defeat!. Every war is a defeat!’. He reminded us all that ‘terrorism and war do not lead to any solution, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”

Preaching in London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said ‘Violence is never a solution. Retribution is never a contribution to peace ‘and urged our prayers for all who have lost their lives and for the immediate release of those taken hostage.’

As we watch the situation develop, please respond with us to these calls for prayer. Please pray for peace and an end to the violence. As the Latin Patriarch urged, pray with Pope Francis:

“Lord, come to our aid!
Grant us peace, teach us peace;
guide our steps in the way of peace.
Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say:
“Never again war!”