Pope Francis condemns “arrogance of occupiers” in Palestine in unprecedented rebuke

Pope Francis delivered a sharp condemnation of the Israeli policies in Palestine on Monday, referring to the “arrogance of the invaders” as a major barrier to peace.

Speaking at the Vatican during a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the Chile-Argentina peace accord, the Pope reflected on the suffering caused by conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, both of which he described as stark failures of humanity.

Francis lamented the devastation endured by Palestinians and denounced the occupiers’ actions for undermining dialogue and perpetuating violence.

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The pontiff denounced the hypocrisy of some countries “where there is much talk of peace” but “the highest yielding investments are in the production of arms,” The Catholic News Agency reported.

He added that the attitude would always lead “to the failure of fraternity and peace. May the international community make the force of law prevail through dialogue, for dialogue “must be the soul of the international community.”

This marked the first occasion where the Pontiff directly addressed Israeli policies in such unequivocal terms. While he had previously called for restraint in Gaza and Lebanon, this denunciation signals a profound shift in the Vatican’s stance.

The Pope’s comments come amid escalating international scrutiny over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, making his moral plea for justice and dialogue particularly resonant.

Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed at least 44,235 Palestinians and wounded 104,638 since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.