‘Only we who paid the highest price have the right to say: between the river and the sea, everyone must be free&: peacemakers meet the Pope

There is a spectacular work of art in the entranceway to the papal apartments in the Cortile del Belvedere in the Vatican. Two metres high, it is an orange life vest encased in a transparent resin that forms the centrepiece of a crucifix. It brings immediately to mind the plight of the world&s refugees. The crucifix stops you. It questions you with its outstretched arms. It pauses you on the high seas of faith.

Write comment (100 Comments)
Humanitarian pause in Gaza to facilitate polio jabs for children

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that there will be ­limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children.

Write comment (92 Comments)
‘There are three types of people,& the Pope told guests from Israel and Palestine. ‘The third is peacemakers like you&

There is a spectacular work of art in the entranceway to the papal apartments in the Cortile del Belvedere in the Vatican. Two metres high, it is an orange life vest encased in a transparent resin that forms the centrepiece of a crucifix. It brings immediately to mind the plight of the world&s refugees. The crucifix stops you. It questions you with its outstretched arms. It pauses you on the high seas of faith.

Write comment (96 Comments)
Houthi rebel video shows group planted bombs on oil tanker in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi rebels have released footage showing their fighters boarded and placed explosives on a Greek-flagged tanker, setting off blasts that put the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill.

Write comment (98 Comments)
WHO announces limited pauses in Gaza fighting to allow for polio vaccinations

The United Nations' World Health Organisation has announced that there will be limited pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children.

Write comment (99 Comments)
Joseph Krauss: Why sworn enemies Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar hold the key to any hopes of peace in Gaza

The latest flurry of Gaza ceasefire talks & the back-and-forth over now-familiar sticking points and appeals from around the world & obscures a grim truth about the efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war and free scores of hostages.

Write comment (93 Comments)