VATICAN CITY 

Pope Francis on Sunday said that the ongoing Gaza cease-fire negotiations should not be halted.

The spiritual leader of Catholics reiterated his call for an immediate cease-fire, the release of hostages and humanitarian aid to Gaza, where he said many diseases, including polio, are spreading.

"Let there be peace in the Holy Land, let there be peace in Jerusalem," he said, emphasizing the need for the city to be a meeting place where Christians, Jews and Muslims are respected and accepted.

The US, Egypt and Qatar have been negotiating a cease-fire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.

*Writing by Yasin Gungor