As night fell in Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV once again appeared friendly and spontaneous with the press. It was around 8:30 p.m. when the doors of Villa Barberini opened to announce his departure for the Vatican. Before boarding the vehicle that would take him back, the Pontiff paused for a few minutes to answer questions and greet the journalists and faithful gathered there.

Asked about the exodus of thousands of people from Gaza, the Pope admitted he had been in telephone contact with the local Catholic community and its parish priest. “Many have nowhere to take refuge, and this is a cause for great concern. Some are trying to resist, but what we really need is to find another solution,” he noted with obvious seriousness.

The conversation also addressed the delicate climate in Europe following the Kremlin’s warnings about a possible confrontation with NATO. Leo XIV insisted that “the Atlantic Alliance has not initiated any conflict” and acknowledged the fears expressed by neighboring countries. “The Poles feel that their airspace has been violated, tensions are high, and concerns are great,” he warned.

The Pope’s words crowned a day marked by calls for peace and prayer. In the morning, he had received Catholicos Karekin II, spiritual leader of the Armenians. He later spoke by telephone with Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family in Gaza, to learn firsthand about the difficult situation facing the Christian community in the Strip.