October 9, 2023

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. www.catholicnewsagency.com - A series of rocket attacks and incursions on Israel from Hamas militants had reportedly killed hundreds and wounded many between Saturday and Sunday morning. The surprise attacks began early on the morning of October 7, the start of the observance of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah. Pope Francis and the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem called for peace after Israel declared “war” following a major attack by Hamas fighters over the weekend. The pope said at the end of a public address on Sunday he is following the violence “with apprehension and sorrow,” and issued an appeal to “please stop weapons attacks!” The head of the Catholic Church in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, called for a de-escalation of the situation in a statement October 7. “The continuing bloodshed and declarations of war remind us once again of the urgent need to find a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in this land,” he said. An October 7 joint statement from the patriarchs and heads of the Churches in Jerusalem also called for the protection of both Israelis and Palestinians. Coverage of the war between Israel and Hamas is ongoing; the war has so far killed more than 700 people in Israel, including at least 260 at a music fesitval, and almost 500 people in Gaza. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255612/pope-francis-jerusalem-patriarch-react-to-violence-between-israel-and-hamas The Synod on Synodality at the Vatican will see another premiere this week, as the gathering switches from group work in small circles to a plenary assembly. Journalists will finally, for a time, be able to tune into actual speeches and proceedings in the audience hall. One important speech is the statement of Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich in his role as relator general, given at the end of the discus