"Let attacks and weapons stop in Israel and Palestine!", Pope prays"The world is horrified by the outbreak of violence. We join Pope Francis' call for peace and his condemnation of violence," say the U.S. bishops in a press release issued Sunday, Oct. 8. David J. Malloy, Bishop of Rockford and Chairman of the Committee for International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for International Justice and Peace, said in a press release issued Sunday, October 8.USCCB), urged the parties to the conflict to cease violence, respect the civilian population and release the hostages.
Reproducing the words the Pontiff pronounced on Sunday, October 8, during the Marian prayer of the Angelus, Malloy affirmed that terrorism and war only bring death and suffering to innocent people. Bishop Malloy also called for urgent prayers for peace: "We appeal to the faithful and to all people of good will to continue to pray for peace in the land that Our Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, called 'Home,'" he concluded.
Hours earlier, President Joe Biden strongly condemned the aggression: "The United States strongly condemns this heinous attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. Israel has the right to defend itself. The President also offered the Israeli government the necessary means for its defense. In this regard, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin indicated that the United States will send an aircraft carrier, as well as other warships and military aircraft to the area. Austin also emphasized that the United States "maintains its forces on alert around the world to reinforce deterrence if necessary".
