Tehran – Pope Francis was an important leader of the Catholic Church and the first pope from outside Europe in almost 1,300 years. He passed away on the morning of April 21, 2025. In his time as Pope, he was clear and cared about the Israeli war in Gaza in particular.
The Pope often called for a halt of violence in Gaza. He wanted justice for the victims and the assistance of war-affected Palestinians. His strong words to the conflict included a call for a ceasefire and an investigation into war crimes. This confused some Israeli officials and caused a very tense relationship between the Vatican and Israel.
His death has left the world losing its highly influential religious leaders and a powerful advocate for peace and human rights in one of the most difficult and long-term conflicts.
Pope Francis’ views on Gaza and Israel
During the conflict that had become so aggravated in October 2023, Pope Francis repeatedly criticised Gaza’s violence and horrifying circumstances. He made it clear that the situation was not just war, but terrorism. On November 22, 2023, he said, “This is not war, this is terrorism.” He emphasized how civilians, especially children, suffer, and urged Gaza people to reach out to the end of the battle and help with humanitarianism.
In a key statement in November 2024, Pope Francis asked the international community to investigate whether Israeli military action in Gaza is considered genocide. He said, “According to some experts, what’s happening in Gaza has a genocide character. It needs to be carefully investigated.”
This was a powerful and rare challenge to Israel’s actions in the conflict. The Pope also condemned the bombing of civilian places such as hospitals and schools, which led to the deaths of many civilians. On December 26, 2024, he emphasized the moral aspect of his criticism, “The children were bombed yesterday. This is not war, but cruel.”
In the 2025 Easter message, he appealed to “War Party: Calling a Cerezage, Freeing Hostages, and Come to Help the Hungry People Aiming for a Future of Peace.” Furthermore, he was disappointed at the level of anti-Semitism growth around the world, thereby showing a balanced perspective on conflict.
Palestinian Christian roles and light letters
Pope Francis paid great attention to Palestinian Christians, a small group caught up in the middle of the conflict. He called out the Holy Family Diocese of Gaza every night after Israel began a ruthless, wild war with Gaza following the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas.
Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the West Bank have had a major impact on the Palestinian Christian community. Leaders are concerned that if things don’t improve, they could disappear completely. Easter in 2025, usually a happy time, was marked by sadness and fear instead. This illustrates the difficult times Christians are experiencing due to pressure from the Israeli military.
Israel’s response: Anger and diplomatic tensions
Israel responded quickly and strongly to Pope Francis’ comments, showing a lot of frustration and anger. They accused the Pope of ignoring the security challenges Israel faces, particularly with regard to Hamas.
Israeli officials claimed Hamas was using people as human shields and taking hostages. Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the Pope’s remarks “double standards” and said he unfairly targeted Israel.
After the Pope criticized the murder of Palestinian children, Israel called on the Vatican ambassador to Jerusalem and expressed misfortune at the Pope’s words. The Pope’s moral authority challenged Israel’s military and political positions.
Pope Francis stood firm in the Gaza conflict and showed genuine concerns about human rights and equity. He opposed what Palestinians saw as extreme violence and difficulties. His choice to use words like “terrorism” and “genocide” when talking about Israel’s actions was a big deal for the current Pope.
He also spoke for Palestinian Christians and added another layer to his message. It emphasized how important it is to protect minority groups in the sacred sites and to recognize the different cultures and beliefs of the region. This approach stood out against the often divided political debate about conflict.
Israel’s angry response to the Pope’s remarks revealed sensitivity to criticism from prominent individuals.
Pope Francis left a complicated legacy. His words influenced many Palestinians and human rights advocates.