Pope Francis Highlights 2 Fathers - Israeli and Palestinian who Lost their Daughters and Work for Peace

Before the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis briefly met with Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin, the first Israeli, the second Palestinian, who have both lost their daughters: Smadar, daughter of Rami Elhanan, was a victim of an attack in Jerusalem in 1997; Abir, daughter of Bassam Aramin, was killed in 2007 by a bullet from an Israeli soldier while coming home from school. The story of Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin, and their joint commitment to peace in justice through The Parents Circle Association, was recounted in the novel Apeirogon by writer Colum McCann, present at Pope Francis' audience with the artists on 23 June, and winner of the Terzani Prize.

During the General Audience, Pope Francis said:
And here today, in this audience, there are two people, two fathers. They are the first: an Israeli and an Arab. Both of them have lost their daughters in this war, and they are both friends; they do not look at the wickedness of the war, but they look at the friendship of two men who care about each other and have experienced the same crucifixion. Let us think of the beautiful witness of these two people who have suffered the war in the Holy Land in the loss of their daughters. Dear brothers, thank you for your witness.