Pope Francis criticized on Monday what he described as the "shameful impotence" of the international community in ending the war in the Middle East, a year after the Al-Aqsa Flood operation.

 
The Pope sent a heartfelt message to Catholic Christians in the Middle East on the anniversary of the start of the Gaza war, expressing that he thinks of them, prays for them, and wishes to reach out to them on this sorrowful day.

 
The Supreme Pontiff added that the international community and the major powers are in a shameful inability to silence weapons and put an end to the tragedy of war. 

He considered that blood flows along with tears, and anger and the desire for revenge grow, while dialogue and peace concern only a small number of people.

 
The Pope encouraged Catholics in the Middle East to continue seeking peace. And he asked them not to let the darkness surrounding them swallow them. And he called upon them to become a seed of hope in their land, so that the light of faith would carry them to bear witness to love, encounter, and unity amidst violence, confrontation, and conflict.

 
Pope Francis has spoken more openly in the past few weeks about the conflict between Hamas and Israel, becoming more explicit in his criticism of the Israeli military campaign.

 
The Pope also designated Monday as a day for Catholics around the world to fast and pray for peace.