Pope Francis to meet families of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, will meet with family members of Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists on Monday, April 8. These hostages have been held since October 7, 2023, marking six months.

Accompanying Foreign Minister Israel Katz on his working visit to Italy and the Vatican are the families of the kidnapped hostages. Minister Katz himself will meet with his Vatican counterpart, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, to discuss the importance of releasing all 133 hostages who remain in Hamas's custody.

Several months ago, Sara Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's wife, reached out to Pope Francis, urging his personal intervention in securing the release of the Israelis held by Hamas.

"Your Holiness, I ask for your personal intervention in this matter. Please use your influence to demand the immediate release of all hostages without conditions," the letter stated.

She also called on the Pope to urge the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit the hostages in the Gaza Strip and provide life-saving medicine.

"Your intervention could make a difference and save precious lives," the message concluded.