Pope Francis Criticizes Gaza Child Deaths, Discusses Vatican-China Relations

Pope Francis has expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, particularly highlighting the tragic loss of young lives. During a press conference aboard the papal flight returning from Southeast Asia and Oceania, the pontiff addressed several critical issues, including the Israel-Hamas war, Vatican-China relations, and potential travel plans.

Regarding the Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, Pope Francis stated:

"Please, when you see the bodies of killed children, when you see that, under the presumption that some guerrillas are there, a school is bombed, this is ugly. It is ugly."

[[Pope Francis on Gaza conflict]]

The pontiff expressed doubt about the commitment to peace from both Israel and Hamas, describing the situation as "too much, too much." This statement aligns with the Vatican's consistent calls for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Turning to Vatican-China relations, Pope Francis expressed satisfaction with the 2018 agreement on bishop appointments in China. He stated, "I am happy with the dialogue with China," indicating that the deal, which allows China some input in selecting Catholic bishops, will likely be renewed this fall. This agreement aims to resolve the long-standing division between the underground church loyal to the Vatican and the state-supervised Catholic Patriotic Association.

The pontiff firmly denied reports of his attendance at the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, scheduled for December 8, 2024. He simply stated, "I will not go to Paris," putting an end to speculation about his presence at the event marking five years since the devastating fire.

Pope Francis also discussed the possibility of visiting his home country, Argentina, this year. While expressing interest, he noted that some issues need resolution before a decision can be made. The potential trip might include a stop in the Canary Islands, addressing the ongoing migrant situation there.

Addressing the clergy sexual abuse case of Abbe Pierre, a French priest known for his work with the homeless, Pope Francis acknowledged the recent revelations but was uncertain about when the Vatican first became aware of the allegations. The Emmaus organization, founded by Abbe Pierre in 1949, recently disclosed additional testimonies against the late priest.

Throughout his 11-year papacy, Pope Francis has consistently emphasized the importance of caring for migrants, making it a central theme of his leadership. As the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, he continues to address global issues while navigating the complexities of leading the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.