On Thursday, Pope Francis offered more criticism of the Israeli bombing campaign and siege on the Gaza Strip, calling it “shameful” and saying the bombing of civilians is unacceptable.
“I renew my appeal for a ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, where there is a very serious and shameful humanitarian situation, and I ask that the Palestinian population receive all the aid it needs,” the Pope said in a yearly address to diplomats that was delivered by an aide.
“We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians or the attacking of infrastructures necessary for their survival. We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country’s energy network has been hit,” the Pope added.
The Catholic Church teaches that attacks on civilians and military operations that destroy whole cities are a grave crime. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation.”
Pope Francis also called for an end to the proliferation of destructive weapons. “This morning, I reiterate my appeal that ‘with the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favor development in the most impoverished countries so that their citizens will not resort to violent or illusory solutions, or have to leave their countries in order to seek a more dignified life,'” he said.
Pope Francis’ latest criticism of Israel comes a few weeks after he denounced Israel’s “cruelty” in Gaza, which prompted a strong backlash from the Israeli foreign ministry.
The Pope has kept in touch with the only Roman Catholic Church in Gaza, the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City. Back in December 2023, the church came under Israeli siege, and Israeli snipers killed two Palestinian Christian women, an incident Pope Francis condemned as “terrorism.”
