Vatican sharpens stance on Israel following Gaza parish strike
Vatican Voices Guilt Over Gaza Church Strike
Sunday Pope Leo XIV Denounces Israel’s “Barbarity”
In a sharp deviation from former Pope Francis’s calls for peace, Pope Leo XIV condemned the Israeli army’s shelling of the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. The attack killed three civilians and sparked condemnation across political and religious leaders.
Israel’s Apology and Vatican’s Implicit Accusation
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Pope, expressing “deep regret” for a “stray missile” and promising an investigation.
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second‑in‑command, suggested the strike could have been intentional, urging Israel to publish findings that determine whether the attack was an error or a deliberate assault on a Christian site.
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited the wounded and conducted a mass at the site, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to remain in Gaza.
Vatican’s Shift to Legal Language and Humanitarian Law
Analyst François Mabille highlighted the Vatican’s adoption of precise legal vocabulary. Pope Leo XIV called on the international community to uphold four core humanitarian rights—protect civilians, prohibit collective punishment, ban indiscriminate force, and prevent forced displacement.
Cardinal Lojudice’s Accusation of “Tyrant” Governance
In an interview with La Stampa, Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice criticized Netanyahu as a “tyrant” pursuing “bloodthirsty power.” He labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as “evil without logic,” diverging from the Vatican’s typical diplomatic stance.
Historical Context and Current Tense
- The Vatican, recognizing Palestine in 2015, supports a two‑state solution and calls for a special international status for Jerusalem.
- Relations with Israel have intensified after the October 7 Hamas attack and the burning of a Christian village in the West Bank.
- Pope Francis had previously questioned whether Israel’s heavy‑handed response constituted “genocide” in Gaza.
Conclusion: Vatican’s New Direction Toward Israel
The Vatican’s recent statements reflect an unprecedented direct critique of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. By engaging legal terms and human rights violations, the Holy See signals a more aggressive stance that aligns with global criticism of the war’s humanitarian impact.
