VATICAN CITY, Dec 21 (Reuters) — Pope Francis on Saturday condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as “cruelty,” a day after an Israeli minister publicly criticised the pontiff for his remarks suggesting that the ongoing Israeli military offensive might constitute genocide against the Palestinian people.
Opening his annual Christmas address to the Catholic cardinals in the Vatican, Pope Francis referenced Israeli airstrikes carried out on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians in Gaza. “Yesterday, children were bombed,” the pope said. “This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to say this because it touches the heart.” His comments came amid the escalating violence in Gaza, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has left tens of thousands dead and created widespread destruction.
Pope Francis has generally been cautious about taking sides in conflicts, but he has become increasingly vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging the global community to take action. In recent months, he has spoken out against the violence perpetrated by both sides but has been particularly critical of Israel’s military campaign. In an excerpt from his book published last month, the pontiff pointed to statements from international experts who suggested that the situation in Gaza has “the characteristics of a genocide.”
The pope’s remarks drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials, including Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs. In a rare open letter published by Italian newspaper Il Foglio on Friday, Chikli accused Pope Francis of “trivialising” the term genocide. “The Pope’s statements are offensive and grossly inaccurate,” Chikli wrote. “Israel is defending itself against the cruelty of Hamas, which hides behind children and civilians while trying to kill Israeli children.”
Israel’s foreign ministry further rebutted the pope’s comments, accusing Hamas militants of using civilians as human shields while conducting operations from residential areas in Gaza. “The death of any innocent person in a war is a tragedy,” the Israeli foreign ministry stated, adding that Israel makes extraordinary efforts to avoid civilian casualties, while Hamas “actively increases harm to Palestinian civilians.”
Despite the criticisms, the Pope has remained steadfast in his position. He also mentioned on Saturday that the Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem had attempted to enter Gaza on Friday to visit the Christian population there, but his entry was denied by Israeli authorities. The patriarch’s office confirmed the attempt but declined to comment further on the situation.
The Israeli military, however, clarified the issue, stating that the patriarch’s entry had been approved and that he would be permitted to enter Gaza on Sunday, subject to any security concerns. “Israel cooperates with the Christian community to facilitate aid and ensure the safety of Christians in Gaza,” the military said in a statement. It also noted that aid from the patriarch’s office had already entered Gaza the previous week.
The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led Palestinian militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes, aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure, have left more than 45,000 Palestinians dead, with the vast majority being civilians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The intense bombardment has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, with much of the territory reduced to rubble.
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Israel maintains that it is targeting Hamas militants, insisting that at least a third of those killed are combatants. The Israeli government also asserts that it is doing everything in its power to minimise harm to civilians. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with aid groups reporting shortages of food, medicine, and shelter for the displaced.
Hamas, for its part, denies Israeli claims that it is embedding militants within civilian populations, accusing Israel of committing war crimes by targeting innocent Palestinians. The international community remains divided over the ongoing conflict, with calls for both sides to cease hostilities and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Pope Francis has consistently called for peace in the region, appealing to both Israelis and Palestinians to end the violence and to respect human dignity. His comments have drawn both support and criticism, highlighting the complex and deeply entrenched nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the war continues, the Pope’s voice remains one of the most prominent among global leaders calling for an end to the suffering of the innocent, urging all parties to work toward a just and lasting peace.
