Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church, has voiced his concerns regarding recent military actions in the Middle East. During a press conference aboard the papal flight returning from Belgium on September 29, 2024, the pontiff addressed the issue of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.
The 87-year-old spiritual leader of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide emphasized the importance of maintaining moral standards even during times of conflict. "Even in war there is a morality to safeguard," Pope Francis stated, adding, "War is immoral. But the rules of war give it some morality."
Responding to inquiries about Israel's recent military operations, Pope Francis stressed the necessity for proportionate defense. He cautioned against excessive use of military force, stating, "Defence must always be proportionate to the attack. When there is something disproportionate, you see a tendency to dominate that goes beyond morality."
This statement aligns with the pontiff's consistent calls for peace and his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue. As the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position, Pope Francis has been known for his progressive stance on various social issues since his election in 2013.
The pope's comments come in the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began nearly a year ago. In recent weeks, Pope Francis has been more vocal about Israel's military actions. On September 28, 2024, he expressed concern over the deaths of Palestinian children in Israeli strikes on Gaza.
"The cruelty that is happening there"
Pope Francis revealed that he maintains daily telephone contact with members of a Catholic parish in Gaza. These conversations provide him with firsthand accounts of the conditions on the ground, which he described as involving "cruelty."
The pontiff's statements reflect his broader mission to advocate for peace and justice globally. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has written encyclicals addressing various social and environmental issues, demonstrating his commitment to addressing global challenges beyond traditional religious matters.
As the head of the Vatican City State, the world's smallest sovereign nation, Pope Francis continues to use his influential position to call for an end to violent conflicts and promote diplomatic solutions. His recent comments underscore the Catholic Church's stance on the morality of warfare and the need for restraint in military actions, even in the face of complex geopolitical situations.