VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis offered a message of solidarity and peace on All Saints’ Day, expressing profound sorrow over the long-running violence that Israel has imposed on Gaza, where he condemned the massacre of 153 women and children carried out by Israeli security forces.
Addressing thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope expressed his sorrow over the prolonged Israeli violence in Gaza.
Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray for peace in troubled areas around the world, including Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar. “Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, let us pray for Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and for all the peoples who are suffering because of war,” he said.
In his message, Pope Francis condemned warfare as “ignoble,” describing it as a “triumph of lies and deception” that devastates innocent lives and irreversibly damages human and environmental resources. He warned that war brings “maximum harm to the adversary” while masking its true costs with falsehoods.
Israel’s ongoing offensive on Gaza, which has continued since October 7, 2023, has faced widespread condemnation. The United Nations Security Council had also approved a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.
Since October 7, 2023, the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign in Gaza has killed at least 43,341 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The densely populated enclave, home to two million people — most of them women and children — now lies in ruins, with many accusing Israel of genocide in cases currently under review at the International Court of Justice.
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The Pope’s message also extended beyond Gaza, as he expressed his condolences for the victims of violence in other regions. He cited a recent terrorist attack in Chad, where 40 soldiers were killed by Boko Haram militants, and conveyed his closeness to their families. “Let us stand together in solidarity,” he urged.
Pope Francis also remembered those affected by a recent storm in the Valencian community in Spain, which caused casualties and extensive damage. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, asking for comfort for all who are suffering from the storm’s aftermath.
