Pope
Francis delivers a Christmas message to Vatican workers in Paul VI Hall
at the Vatican, December 21, 2024. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Ramping up criticism of Israel, Pope calls situation in Gaza 'shameful'
VATICAN CITY, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Thursday stepped up his recent criticism
of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian
situation in the Palestinian enclave "very serious and shameful".
In a yearly address to diplomats delivered on his behalf by an aide, Francis appeared to reference deaths caused by winter cold in Gaza, where there is almost no electricity.
"We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians," the text said.
"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, 88, who was present for the address but asked an aide to read it as he is recovering from a cold,
also condemned anti-Semitism; called for an end to the war in Ukraine
and other conflicts around the world; and expressed concern over climate
change.
The
comments were part of an address to Vatican-accredited envoys from some
184 countries that is sometimes called the pope's "state of the world"
speech. The Israeli ambassador to the Holy See was among those present
for the event.
Francis, leader of the 1.4-billion-member Roman Catholic Church, is usually careful about taking sides in conflicts.
But he has recently been more outspoken about Israel's military campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas, and has suggested the global community should study whether the offensive constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people.
An Israeli government minister publicly denounced the pontiff in December for that suggestion.
The pope's text said he condemns anti-Semitism, and called the growth of anti-Semitic groups "a source of deep concern".
Francis also called for an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, which has killed tens of thousands.
"My
wish for the year 2025 is that the entire international community will
work above all to end the conflict that, for almost three years now, has
caused so much bloodshed," he said.
The
pope also addressed conflicts in places including Sudan, Mozambique,
Myanmar, and Nicaragua and reiterated his frequent calls for action to
confront the impacts of global climate change, and the spread of
misinformation on social media.
Reporting by Joshua McElwee Editing by Keith Weir and Sharon Singleton