This Sunday's Angelus in St. Peter's Square was not liked at all in Israel, which has highlighted it through official channels. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, has called Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, to reproach him for Francis' words in his message on Sunday, demanding that the Pontiff “clearly and unequivocally” condemn Hamas attacks.
Looking out from the balcony in St. Peter's Square, the Pope expressed his pain for what is happening in Israel and Palestine, renewed "the call for the release of the hostages" and asked "strongly" that "the children, the sick, the elderly, women and all civilians do not become victims of the conflict.” The Pontiff also implored respect for humanitarian law, "especially in Gaza, where it is urgent and necessary to guarantee humanitarian corridors and come to the aid of the entire population." “Brothers and sisters, many have already died. Please let no more innocent blood be spilled,” he exclaimed.
For Israel, it is “unacceptable that concern is expressed primarily for Gazan civilians while Israel is burying the 1,300 who were killed,” Cohen told Gallagher, according to a ministry statement. For this reason, they want the Vatican to make “a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the murderous terrorist actions of the Hamas terrorists who harmed women, children and the elderly for the sole reason of being Jews and Israelis.” “There is no room for unfounded comparisons,” Cohen insisted, calling Hamas “a terrorist organization worse than the Islamic State, which invaded Israel with the intention of harming innocent civilians, while Israel is a democracy that is trying to defend its citizens.” Hamas citizens.”
On the occasions that the Pope has referred to the conflict he has avoided using the word Hamas, but last Wednesday, during the general audience, he already asked that the hostages be released and justified Israel's response by saying that "those attacked have the right to defend themselves." ", although he expressed his concern about "the total siege under which the Palestinians live in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims."
At the same time, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has offered himself to Hamas in exchange for the release of the children he is holding hostage. According to what he said in Jerusalem before the press, the cardinal “would do anything to have those children released.” “There is no problem, absolute will on my part,” he stressed.
