VATICAN CITY, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Pope Leo XIV on Friday lamented rising 
violence in the occupied West Bank and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, 
saying Palestinians had the right to live peacefully in their "own land".

"Sadly, there has been an increase in violence in the West Bank against the 
Palestinian civilian population, which has the right to live in peace in its 
own land," said the US pope, adding that civilians in Gaza also should be 
assured "a future of lasting peace and justice in their own land".