Pope condemns 'rise of antisemitic hatred,' Manchester synagogue attack

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV decried "the rise of antisemitic hatred in the world," particularly as evidenced by "the terrorist attack in Manchester," England, Oct. 2, an attack that killed two men.

The attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism. The attacker, who was killed by police, drove a car into a crowd of people and stabbed the two Jewish men.

Pope Leo condemned the attack in his remarks before praying the Angelus prayer Oct. 5 with visitors and pilgrims who had just attended his Mass in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of Migrants and the Jubilee of the Missions.

Speaking just days before the second anniversary of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and Israel's massive military attack on Gaza, the pope told the crowd that he continues "to be saddened by the immense suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza."

However, he said, "in recent hours, in the dramatic situation in the Middle East, some significant steps forward have been taken in peace negotiations, which I hope will achieve the desired results as soon as possible."

Representatives of Israel and Hamas reportedly were preparing to meet in Egypt with negotiators trying to convince both sides to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan.

"I ask all those in positions of responsibility to commit themselves to this path, to bring about a ceasefire and to release the hostages," the pope said. "At the same time, I urge everyone to remain united in prayer, so that the ongoing efforts may put an end to the war and lead us toward a just and lasting peace."

In the month of October, which the church traditionally dedicates to praying the rosary, Pope Leo asked people to "deepen our prayer for peace: a prayer that becomes concrete solidarity with those people tormented by war."

He also thanked "the many children around the world who have committed themselves to praying the rosary for this intention. You have our heartfelt thanks!"

The pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need has rallied young people across the globe for its One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign.

Before praying the Angelus, Pope Leo also remembered the victims of the earthquake Sept. 30 in Cebu and other areas of central Philippines.

"I express my closeness to the dear Filipino people, and in particular I pray for those who are most severely affected by the consequences of the earthquake," he said. "Faced with any danger, let us remain united and supportive in our trust in God and in the intercession of our Blessed Mother."