Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and head of state of the Vatican, expressed hope Sunday that the conflict in the Middle East, which is “already particularly violent and bloody, does not expand further,” conveying his concern over tensions in the region.

The Pontiff addressed the crowd after reciting the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Vatican News reported.

“Attacks, even targeted ones, and killings can never be a solution. They do not help to follow the path of justice, the path of peace, but generate even more hatred and revenge,” he said.

He also called for the “courage to resume dialogue so that the fighting stops immediately in Gaza and on all fronts and that the hostages are freed” while also providing the population with humanitarian aid.