Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Pope Francis condemns 'Israel's' actions in Gaza as 'shameful'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Jan 2025 21:51
3 Min Read

In his address, the pope condemned the bombing of civilians, referencing the dire conditions in Gaza where electricity is scarce, and winter cold has claimed lives.

Listen
  • x
  • Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
    Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (AP)

Pope Francis on Thursday intensified his criticism of "Israel's" genocidal campaign in Gaza, describing the humanitarian crisis in the sector as "very serious and shameful" during an annual address to Vatican-accredited diplomats on Thursday. The remarks were delivered on his behalf by an aide, as the 88-year-old pontiff recovers from a cold.

In his address, the pope condemned the bombing of civilians, referencing the dire conditions in Gaza where electricity is scarce, and winter cold has claimed lives. "We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians," the speech read. "We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country's energy network has been hit."

The address, which is often referred to as the pope's "state of the world" speech, included a wide range of global concerns. Francis also condemned anti-Semitism, calling the rise of anti-Semitic groups "a source of deep concern," and urged an end to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, which has caused widespread devastation and loss of life.

"My wish for the year 2025 is that the entire international community will work above all to end the conflict that, for almost three years now, has caused so much bloodshed," the pope said, referring to the Ukraine war. He also highlighted other global conflicts in countries such as Sudan, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Nicaragua.

Read more: Pope Francis condemns Kiev's ban on Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The pope's remarks follow a recent escalation in his criticism of "Israel's" actions in Gaza, including a suggestion that the international community examine whether the campaign against Hamas could constitute genocide. This statement provoked backlash, with an Israeli minister publicly denouncing the pope's comments in December.

Related News

Croatian president refuses to meet Israeli FM over Gaza genocide

Gaza, the gateway to Al-Quds, calls for support: Al Mayadeen expert

Beyond addressing conflicts, Francis reiterated his calls for urgent action on climate change and expressed concerns about the spread of misinformation through social media.

Pope's plea for peace

The pope has consistently advocated for a ceasefire in the embattled Strip. Reflecting on the scale of the ongoing genocide, he remarked that the war has become "too much."

In his annual Christmas message last month, Pope Francis urged for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He expressed his concern for the Christian communities in the region, particularly in Gaza, where conditions have deteriorated significantly.

"I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war," he said.

Read more: Pope slams 'cruelty' of Israeli strike killing Gaza children

The pontiff extended his plea for peace to Sudan, which has been gripped by a brutal civil war for nearly two years, leaving millions at risk of famine. 

"May the Son of the Most High sustain the efforts of the international community to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population of Sudan and to initiate new negotiations for a ceasefire," he said.

  • genocide in Gaza
  • Catholic Church
  • Pope Francis
  • Vatican
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS