Pope Francis Condemns Deaths of Gaza Children in Israeli Bombings, Reports Reuters

By Joshua McElwee

Pope Francis Addresses Conflict in Gaza

During a flight back to Rome from Singapore, Pope Francis expressed deep concern over the fatalities among Palestinian children due to Israeli military strikes in Gaza. He described the targeting of schools under the assumption that Hamas militants were present as "ugly."

In a press conference with journalists, the pope shared his skepticism regarding the commitment of either Israel or Hamas to pursue peace, stating, "I am sorry to have to say this. But I do not think that they are taking steps to make peace." His remarks came after an extensive 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania. He mentioned that he communicates daily with members of a Catholic parish in Gaza, who report distressing accounts to him.

The pontiff remarked, "Please, when you see the bodies of killed children, when you see that a school is bombed under the presumption that some guerrillas are there, this is ugly," emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He further commented on the prolonged nature of the conflict, declaring, "sometimes I think it’s a war that is too much, too much."

The current hostilities began with a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in the death of around 1,200 people and the taking of about 250 hostages, as per Israeli reports. The subsequent Israeli military offensive has devastated the Gaza Strip, leading to over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities. The United Nations has characterized Gaza’s economy as being "in ruins" due to the ongoing conflict.

In addition to the situation in Gaza, the pope addressed various topics during the 40-minute press conference. He criticized the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting that American Catholics may need to "choose the lesser evil" when voting in the upcoming election, though he did not provide further details.

Positive Outcomes of Vatican-China Agreement

Pope Francis also expressed satisfaction with a Vatican agreement concerning the appointment of bishops in China, noting that it has yielded positive results. He indicated that the accord, which allows China some influence in the selection of Catholic bishops, would likely be extended when it comes up for renewal.

He stated, "I am happy with the dialogue with China," affirming that both parties are engaging in good faith negotiations. Conservative factions within the Church have criticized the arrangement as conceding too much authority to the Chinese government. Nevertheless, the Vatican maintains that the agreement seeks to reconcile a longstanding division between an underground church loyal to the Vatican and the state-run Catholic Patriotic Association.

Future Travel Plans and Addressing Abuse

Pope Francis also dismissed a report claiming he would visit Paris in December for the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral, stating, "I will not go to Paris." He did, however, mention his desire to visit Argentina, his home country, but emphasized that plans are not yet finalized, citing other matters that need resolution before any decision can be made.

If he journeys to Argentina, the pope expressed interest in making a stop in the Canary Islands, a region that has seen a surge in migration challenges. Caring for migrants has been a significant focus during his papacy, evidenced by his first visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa in response to migration issues.

During the press conference, the pope was also questioned about the issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic clergy, specifically regarding a French priest known for his work with the homeless, who later faced multiple allegations of sexual assault. The pope acknowledged that he was unaware of when the Vatican first became aware of those claims, stating, "Certainly, after his death, surely… But before, I don’t know."