Pope Francis on Wednesday called on Hamas to release all hostages it captured during its unprecedented attacks on Israel.

“I pray for those families who have seen a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning and ask for the immediate release of the hostages,” the Pope said during Wednesday's general audience in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis went on to acknowledge Israel's right to self-defense, saying, "It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves." He also expressed concern for the "total siege facing the Palestinians in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims."

He added:“Terrorism and extremism do not help to reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but fuel hatred, violence and revenge, causing suffering to both sides."

The Pope's comments come several days after he first addressed the conflict during his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, in which he pleaded for a halt to the attacks and fighting, saying, "War is a defeat, every war is always a defeat."