VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI called on Sunday for and end to the "tragic violence" in Gaza, calling for "moderation" from the Israeli government and a "sense of responsibility" from Palestinians.
During his Angelus prayer before thousands of pilgrims gathered in Vatican City the pope also pleaded with the "international community to multiply its efforts to relaunch negotiations," expressing alarm at the "bloody deterioration of the situation" in the Palestinian territories.
"Once again, I plead in the name of God that this tragic violence is brought to an end," the pope said, adding that he felt "close" to the Israeli and Palestinian people.