• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Economy

Pope’s top diplomat blasts Israel’s Gaza offensive as ‘ongoing massacre,’ condemns Hamas attacks

by October 7, 2025
by October 7, 2025

The Vatican’s top diplomat on Monday condemned both Hamas’ ‘inhuman and indefensible’ Oct. 7 attacks and Israel’s ‘ongoing massacre’ in Gaza, warning that even legitimate self-defense cannot justify the destruction of a ‘largely defenseless population.’

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state and one of Pope Leo XIV’s advisers, spoke in an interview marking the second anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel — a raid that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 people taken hostage.

Parolin said Israel’s military response has stretched far beyond the bounds of proportionality, turning Gaza’s crowded neighborhoods into ruins.

‘The war waged by the Israeli army to eliminate Hamas militants disregards the fact that it is targeting a largely defenseless population, already pushed to the brink, in an area where buildings and homes are reduced to rubble,’ he told Vatican media.

‘Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves,’ he said, ‘but even legitimate defense must respect the principle of proportionality.’

Reuters reported that Hamas-run Gaza health authorities claim Israel’s campaign has resulted in over 67,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians.

The remarks rank among the Church’s sharpest rebukes of the war. They also mark a shift toward a more forceful Vatican voice under Leo, who succeeded Pope Francis in May.

Parolin also faulted global powers for their paralysis.

‘It is… clear that the international community is, unfortunately, powerless and that the countries truly capable of exerting influence have so far failed to act to stop the ongoing massacre,’ he said.

‘I can only repeat the very clear words spoken by Pope Leo on July 20: ‘I renew my appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and to respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population.’’

Parolin went further, questioning the morality of arms sales to parties in the conflict.

‘It’s not enough to say that what is happening is unacceptable and then continue to allow it to happen,’ he said.

‘We must seriously ask ourselves about the legitimacy… of continuing to supply weapons that are being used against civilians.’

In July, Pope Leo XIV expressed sadness and called for a ceasefire after Gaza’s only Catholic Church was hit in an apparent Israeli strike, leaving at least two dead and several injured. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said ‘stray ammunition’ hit the church.

Parolin’s warning lands as European leaders face growing pressure to do more than issue statements of concern. His use of ‘massacre’ echoed humanitarian groups that say Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has collapsed.

At the same time, he reiterated the Church’s demand that Hamas free all remaining hostages.

‘Those attacks were inhuman and indefensible,’ he said, underscoring that neither side’s suffering diminishes the other’s.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Vatican on the matter.

Reuters contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Trump slams Democrats for ‘shutting down’ government, demands it reopen ‘tonight’
next post
Kennedy claims Democrats want millions for foreign LGBT projects, electric buses to end shutdown

Related Posts

Slower Inflation But Rising Uncertainty in September

October 27, 2025

Failing Upwards: The Perverse Incentives of Teachers’ Unions

October 27, 2025

How China Remade Global Trade — and Then...

October 27, 2025

Progressive power players rally voters for Zohran Mamdani...

October 27, 2025

The 5 longest government shutdowns in history: What...

October 27, 2025

Trump dances with Malaysian performers as he kicks...

October 27, 2025

Swalwell demands 2028 Dem candidates vow to destroy...

October 27, 2025

PHOTOS: The making of Trump’s White House ballroom,...

October 27, 2025

Milei scores historic win in Argentina midterms, tightens...

October 27, 2025

TREY GOWDY: China is misjudging Trump on trade....

October 27, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Slower Inflation But Rising Uncertainty in September

    October 27, 2025
  • Iridium Unveils Revolutionary Global GPS Device Protection on a Chip

    October 27, 2025
  • Failing Upwards: The Perverse Incentives of Teachers’ Unions

    October 27, 2025
  • How China Remade Global Trade — and Then Broke It

    October 27, 2025
  • IBEX 35 Index has soared: top Spanish stocks to watch this week

    October 27, 2025
  • Australia commits A$83.5 million to boost cyber resilience across the Indo-Pacific

    October 27, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 2

    Pop Mart reports 188% profit surge, plans aggressive global expansion

    March 26, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 5

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025
  • 6

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 7

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (3,020)
  • Editor's Pick (296)
  • Investing (185)
  • Stock (2,057)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

White House pushes for $58M security increase...

September 16, 2025

Trump appoints Alice Marie Johnson ‘pardon czar’...

February 21, 2025

WATCH: Defiant Kash Patel says he’s ‘proud’...

September 22, 2025