Pope Francis has called for a “careful investigation” into the allegations of genocide in Gaza, offering some of his strongest words yet against Israel’s military actions in the region.
“According to some experts… what is happening in Gaza bears the hallmarks of a genocide,” Vatican News, the official voice of the Holy See, quoted the pontiff as writing in his upcoming book. “It must be carefully examined to determine if it fits within the legal definition laid out by jurists and international bodies.”
The pope also spoke with deep concern about the refugees, saying, “I am especially thinking of those who leave Gaza in the midst of a devastating famine, struggling to find food and aid due to the blockade.” His words echoed the desperation of families caught in the middle of the conflict.
Since the war began, nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million residents have been forced to flee their homes, with very few able to escape the territory.
These comments come from his forthcoming book, *Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Towards a Better World*, set for release on November 19.
In response to the pope’s remarks, Yaron Sideman, Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See, argued, “There was a genocidal massacre on 7 October 2023 of Israeli citizens,” referring to the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw another 250 taken hostage. “Since then, Israel has exercised its right to defend itself against attacks from seven different fronts aimed at killing its citizens,” Sideman wrote on X. “Any effort to call it by any other name singles out the Jewish state.”
At 87 years old, Pope Francis has rarely made political comments, usually sticking to calls for peace and human dignity. In March, he repeated his plea for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during his traditional Easter message at the Vatican, condemning war as an “absurdity.” He called for an “immediate ceasefire,” access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, and the “prompt release of the hostages.”
In December 2023, the pope addressed the tragic deaths of two women killed by an Israeli sniper inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, lamenting that “unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire” in Gaza, and invoking scripture to speak about the horrors of war.
A recent report from a UN Special Committee concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza “align with the characteristics of genocide,” citing mass civilian casualties and the use of starvation as a weapon.
South Africa has filed a case at the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide, arguing that Israeli leadership is “intent on destroying the Palestinians in Gaza.” Israel has rejected the accusation as “grossly distorted,” stating that its war is being fought in self-defense against Hamas, not targeting Palestinians as a whole.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also accused Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza last week, marking some of his strongest criticism of the country since the conflict began. This comes after a period when Saudi Arabia was close to normalizing relations with Israel before the October 7 attack.
The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering, with Gaza’s Ministry of Health reporting more than 43,000 Palestinian deaths. The widespread destruction has triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving families in desperate need of aid and safety.
