Vatican’s top diplomat Cardinal Parolin condemned Israel’s Gaza offensive as an “ongoing massacre” while also urging Hamas to free hostages.
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s top diplomat has strongly condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it as an “ongoing massacre” of civilians.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, made the remarks in an interview published on Monday, marking one of the Catholic Church’s harshest rebukes of Israel’s war against Hamas.
Parolin, while calling Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli communities “inhuman and indefensible,” said Israel’s response had crossed the line of proportionality. “Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defence must respect the principle of proportionality,” he stated.
He criticised the Israeli army’s operations, saying: “The war waged by the Israeli army to eliminate Hamas militants disregards the fact that it is targeting a largely defenceless population, already pushed to the brink, in an area where buildings and homes are reduced to rubble.”
The cardinal lamented that the international community had failed to intervene. “It is … clear that the international community is, unfortunately, powerless,” he said, warning against continued arms supplies “used against civilians.”
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 67,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel’s campaign since 2023.