Pope appeals to leaders to end Mideast violence

Pope Francis appealed for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, calling on leaders to “spare no effort to end the violence” that has flared over the past six days.

“I urge the conflicting parties and all political leaders ... to spare no effort to end the violence,” he told pilgrims gathered for Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Francis, who brought together Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for an unprecedented prayer session at the Vatican in June, said that meeting had not been fruitless.

“Some people might think that this meeting was in vain,” said the Pope. “But this is not so, because prayer helps us not to be overcome by evil, and not to put up with violence and hatred gaining power over dialogue and reconciliation.”