Pope of the Vatican condemns the humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for a global ceasefire

The Pope of the Vatican, Leo XIV, condemned the catastrophic humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, during his Christmas Mass sermon on Thursday, in a direct and unusual appeal within religious rituals that are typically characterized by solemnity and spirituality.

In his speech delivered before thousands of worshippers in St. Peter's Cathedral, the Pope, who is the first Supreme Pontiff from the United States and is celebrating his first Christmas after his election in May last year as successor to the late Pope Francis, said that the story of Christ's birth in a humble manger reminds us that the Lord 'pitched his tent' among the peoples of the world.

With an emotional tone, Leo wondered: 'How can we... not think of the tents in Gaza, which have been exposed for weeks to rain, wind, and cold?' in reference to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have become homeless in the besieged sector.

Although Pope Leo usually avoids delving into political issues during his sermons, he has recently expressed his deep regret more than once for what Palestinians are experiencing in Gaza. He also stated to journalists last month that the only solution to the decades-long conflict between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian people must include the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The Pope's statements come at a time when the ceasefire agreement between the occupation and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) entered into force in October last year, after two years of intense bombing and military operations. However, humanitarian organizations confirm that aid reaching Gaza remains extremely limited, amid the near-total displacement of the sector's population.

In his sermon, the Pope did not limit himself to Gaza, but also expressed regret for the conditions of the displaced in various parts of the world, and for the immense destruction caused by wars. He said: 'Fragile are the bodies of peoples unable to defend themselves, suffering from the woes of wars that continue or have ended leaving behind ruins and deep wounds.'

He added: 'Fragile are the minds and souls of the youth who were forced to bear arms, and who feel on the front lines the futility of what is demanded of them and the lies that fill the resounding speeches of those who send them to their deaths.'

The Pope is scheduled to deliver later today the 'Urbi et Orbi' message (To the City and the World), which he delivers twice a year, and usually addresses the most prominent global conflicts and crises.

In a related context, the Pope of the Vatican, as head of the Vatican State, called for a 24-hour ceasefire worldwide, especially in the Russian-Ukrainian war, on the occasion of Christmas.

This came in a press statement last Tuesday, while leaving his residence in Castel Gandolfo near the Italian capital Rome heading to the Vatican, where he said: 'One of the things that truly saddens me is Russia's refusal to cease fire during Christmas.'

He added: 'I appeal once again to all those with good intentions, let there be respect for a 24-hour ceasefire in Ukraine and throughout the world, at least on this day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.'

In reference to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Pope said: 'They are still trying to celebrate a holiday amid an extremely fragile situation, and we hope that the peace agreement will make progress.'

The ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the prisoner exchange between Hamas and the Israeli occupation entered into force on October 10 last year, according to a 20-point plan announced by US President Donald Trump.

The genocide war launched by the occupation with American support on the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023, has left about 71,000 martyrs and more than 171,000 injured Palestinians, mostly children and women, in addition to widespread destruction that the United Nations estimated the cost of rebuilding at about 70 billion dollars.