The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has alleged that Israeli militias stopped him from meeting Palestinian families during a recent visit to the occupied West Bank.
Speaking during a Christmas sermon on December 25, Cottrell said he was halted at checkpoints and barred from visiting Palestinian communities. He described seeing the separation wall firsthand as a sobering experience.
Reflecting on Christmas, he said the incident reminded him of the physical and psychological barriers erected across the world, including those people build within themselves.
Earlier, Pope Leo XIV, in his first Christmas Day homily, highlighted the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, recalling families exposed to harsh weather and ongoing conflict.
Calling for dialogue, the Pope said peace can only emerge through listening and compassion, urging the world to reflect on the suffering of displaced and war-affected populations
