The Pope condemns the "death spiral" in the Middle East

Pope Francis Sunday condemned the escalation of violence in the Middle East, calling on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to engage in a sincere search for peace.

"The spiral of death, which is rising day after day, closes (the door on) the very little trust that exists between the two peoples," the Pope said, after praying in St. Peter's Square.

"Since the beginning of the year, dozens of Palestinians have been killed in confrontations with the Israeli army," he said, calling on the two governments and the international community to find other solutions without delay, including dialogue and sincere search for peace.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news