Pope Francis, in a strong statement on Sunday, declared war to be “a crime against humanity” while renewing his plea for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. The pontiff made these remarks after the weekly Angelus prayer.
During the prayer, Pope Francis implored individuals not to forget those enduring the “cruelty of war” in various parts of the world. He has consistently advocated for peace in regions such as Ukraine and Gaza.
“Let us pray that those who have power over these conflicts reflect on the fact that war is not the way to resolve them, as it sows death among civilians and destroys cities and infrastructure,” the Pope emphasized.
Sunday marked the 100th day since Hamas gunmen broke out of Gaza, initiating the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. This event triggered an Israeli campaign against Hamas, resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and extensive devastation in the Palestinian enclave. Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for peace in the midst of these conflicts, emphasizing the profound humanitarian impact of war.
