Pope Francis has told Catholics in the Holy Land they are "not alone" in an Easter letter released on Wednesday.
"You are not alone and we will not leave you alone, but we will remain in solidarity with you through prayer and practical charity," he said.
"Soon we hope to return among you as pilgrims, to draw near to you, to embrace you, to break with you the bread of fraternity, and to contemplate the tender shoots of hope that spring from the seeds you are sowing in pain and nurturing with patience ,” he added.
"In a particular way, I embrace those most affected by the senseless tragedy of war: the children robbed of their future, those who grieve and are in pain, and all who find themselves prey to anguish and dismay," continued the pope.
In his letter to him Francis also calls on Christians throughout the world "to manifest their concrete support for you and pray tirelessly that all the people of your beloved land may dwell atlast in peace".
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