Pope Francis expressed hope that both the incoming and outgoing U.S. administrations will collaborate to secure the return of those still held captive.

President Biden met Wednesday with the families of American hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, as the Biden administration says it stands ready to work with the incoming Trump administration toward the common goal of securing their release.

President Biden has spent the past few days promising to continue working to free all the hostages, who have been held by Hamas for over 400 days.