Pope Francis has committed to help bring home two Israeli civilians who are being held captive by the Hamas terror group in Gaza, as well as the bodies of two slain IDF soldiers.
The pope made the pledge during a 45-minute meeting with the families of the captured Israelis in the Vatican where he expressed his support and sympathy.
In a statement, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The meeting lasted about 45 minutes, during which the Pope addressed each of the members of the four families that participated, expressing deep solidarity with them.
"The Pope promised to work with governments and key religious leaders, seeking their return."
1/3 Earlier this morning, the family of Israelis being held captive by terror organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip met with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican as a part of a humanitarian delegation. pic.twitter.com/8fDZHxMX7L
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) December 21, 2022
Palestinian terror group Hamas is currently holding two Israelis captive: Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu.
Al-Sayed, who is part of Israel's Bedouin Arab minority, has been held captive by Hamas since 2015 since he crossed the border into the Gaza Strip.
In June, Hamas released a video showing al-Sayed lying on a hospital bed with an oxygen mask, which was the first time that his family had seen him since he was captured seven years ago.
Avera Mengistu is an Israeli man who crossed into Gaza in September 2014. He was detained and interrogated by Hamas, and has been missing since then.
WhatsApp Image 2022-12-21 at 14.23.11
The Pope met with the mothers of the men held hostage
Hamas has not given any details on where its prisoners are held, their conditions, and the Red Cross has never been allowed to visit them. Both men are reported to suffer from mental illness.
The pope also pledged to work to bring home the bodies of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, two IDF soldiers killed in Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
According to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pope Francis spoke with each of the families during the visit, and offered particular support to the mothers of the captives.
Today the Holy Father expressed his closeness to the families of the four #Israeli boys captured or killed in #Gaza.
— Israel in HolySee (@IsraelinHolySee) December 21, 2022
"It is so difficult to comfort a mother's tears." pic.twitter.com/ybq2Q5219s
In a series of tweets, Israel's official Twitter account said on Wednesday: "Earlier this morning, the family of Israelis being held captive by terror organisation Hamas in the Gaza Strip met with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican as a part of a humanitarian delegation.
"The families of the captives, accompanied by Ambassador Raphael Schutz and the Head of Diaspora and Religious Affairs at the Israel MFA Shuli Davidovich, held a 45 minute conversation with the Pope and asked for his assistance in bringing their family members home to Israel."
