Pope Francis Phones Shimon Peres, Mahmud Abbas to Call for Immediate Ceasefire

Vatican City: Pope Francis on Friday phoned Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, the Vatican said.

Francis spoke to the presidents about the need "to bring an end to hostilities, making efforts to promote a truce, peace and reconciliation in the hearts of those involved", read a statement from the Vatican.