Families of Israeli hostages meet Pope Francis, say 'we are all against the war

Alexandra Ariev, left, and Yuval Dancyg, attend a press conference at the Italian Jewish Center in Rome on Wednesday with other representatives of the families of the Israelis abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7 and believed to be held hostage in Gaza, shortly after they met with Pope Francis at The Vatican. (AP/Gregorio Borgia)

The loved ones of hostages being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip met Wednesday with Pope Francis at the Vatican, with one family member saying "we are all against the war."

Alexandra Ariev, whose 19-year-old sister Karina -- an IDF soldier who is amongst the captives -- described Francis' time as "precious and we are very grateful and thankful for him listening to us, and we are sure that he has done things before the meeting and he is doing currently and he will do in the future things that will help us and our families.

"We are all against the war. We do not want innocent to be injured or hurt or be murdered in any side. We want our loved ones back," Ariev added, later noting that Karina was taken from her bed in her pajamas on Oct. 7 and "is all I have in this world."

Francis also met separately with relatives of Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel, according to the Associated Press.