As fears of a widening war in the Middle East grew again in early August, Pope Francis pleaded with the region’s leaders to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue.

“Let us have the courage to resume dialogue so that there is an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and on all fronts, the hostages are freed and the people are helped with humanitarian aid,” the pope said Aug. 4 after leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer.

“Attacks, even targeted ones, and killings can never be a solution,” the pope told thousands of people gathered in the midday heat to pray with him.

The pope’s remarks came after the killing July 31 of a top Hamas leader in Iran –a killing widely attributed to Israel. Attacks and killings, the pope said, never promote”the path of justice, the path of peace, but generate even more hatred and revenge.”