Pope Stands by Vatican Statement Calling Gaza a ‘Massacre’

Despite strong objections from Israel, the Pope has stood by his top aide’s assessment of the situation in Gaza, reaffirming that the humanitarian crisis unfolding there can only be described as a massacre.

Escalating Tensions Between Vatican and Israel

Rarely has a diplomatic exchange between the Vatican and Israel appeared so fraught as in recent days, following public remarks by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the right hand of Pope Leo XIV. In an interview with media outlets based in the papal city, the Vatican Secretary of State described the October 7 attack by Hamas as “inhuman and indefensible,” while also lamenting what he termed the “carnage” facing civilians in Gaza. According to him, “every day so many children die whose only fault is being born there.”

An Unyielding Israeli Response

The reaction from the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See was swift and indignant. Posting on X, its representatives criticized the Vatican’s stance, suggesting that it focused unduly on Israel’s actions while overlooking Hamas’ continued refusal to release hostages and end its campaign of violence. The embassy further argued that using terms such as “massacre” for both Hamas’ genocidal assault and Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense was misleading. The statement underlined: there can be no “moral equivalence between a democratic state defending its people and a terrorist organization seeking their destruction.”

Pope Leo XIV’s Nuanced Position

Breaking his routine at Castel Gandolfo near Rome, Pope Leo XIV addressed reporters directly to clarify the Holy See’s perspective. He confirmed that Cardinal Parolin had accurately conveyed the Vatican’s position but emphasized his solidarity also extended to Israeli victims. Moved by two years marked by intense pain on all sides, he highlighted that over 1,200 Israelis—mostly civilians—lost their lives in the initial Hamas attack.

The Human Toll: Staggering Losses Persist

Amid this tense diplomatic climate, the relentless military escalation continues to claim lives in Gaza. According to figures from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, which is governed by Hamas, more than 67,160 people have died since October 2025, with civilians making up most casualties. Meanwhile, official Israeli numbers cite 1,219 deaths from Hamas’ initial assault.

Several factors explain this deadlock:

• Differing views on legitimate defense versus aggression;
• A lack of trust over humanitarian narratives;
• The profound toll of human suffering on both sides.

For now, dialogue remains strained—each side rooted in their narrative—even as calls mount for empathy and restraint amid one of today’s most devastating conflicts.