Pope Francis expressed strong condemnation on Monday for the harm inflicted upon civilians in the midst of persisting global conflicts, highlighting instances such as those in Gaza and Ukraine.Â
Addressing diplomats accredited to the Vatican, the leader of the Catholic Church emphasized that contemporary warfare extends beyond traditional battle zones and involves not only soldiers but also impacts civilian populations.
The Pope issued a stern warning to nations engaging in aggression, cautioning that in a landscape where the distinction between military and civilian targets seems to be eroding, conflicts inevitably result in indiscriminate harm to civilian populations. He emphasized, “There is no conflict that does not end up in some way indiscriminately striking the civilian population.” The pontiff cited the situations in Ukraine and Gaza as evident examples of this alarming trend.
The Pope underscored the importance of acknowledging that serious breaches of international humanitarian law constitute war crimes. He emphasized that merely identifying such violations is insufficient; proactive measures are crucial to prevent them. The pontiff highlighted the imperative to not only draw attention to these offenses but also to actively work towards their prevention.
The Pope’s comments coincide with ongoing military strikes by Israel against Palestinians, resulting in the death of at least seven civilians in Jenin City (occupied West Bank) and two journalists in southern Gaza on Sunday. Pope Francis expressed
South Africa has filed a case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, with hearings scheduled for this week.
Pope Francis condemned Hamas’ violent attack against Israel on October 7, acknowledging that it triggered a robust Israeli military response in Gaza, causing significant casualties among Palestinians, particularly civilians, including many young people and children. He lamented the resulting humanitarian crisis and suffering.
The Pope stressed that such violent approaches are not effective in resolving disputes between peoples, aggravating conflicts and causing widespread suffering. He renewed his plea for a cease-fire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza.
Addressing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Pope expressed concern that the desired peace has yet to take root in minds and hearts, despite nearly two years of large-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine, resulting in numerous victims and extensive destruction.