Originally published at National Catholic Register
The news that Pope Francis would like the international community to investigate whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide has shocked and angered many Jews in the U.S. and Israel.
In a book excerpt published Nov. 17 in the Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Pope urges an inquiry into what some have labeled an Israeli genocide of Gaza civilians. The book, Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Toward a Better World, is based on interviews with the pontiff in advance of the 2025 Jubilee year. It was published on Nov. 19 in Italy, Spain and Latin America, and will follow in other countries.
“What is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. We should investigate carefully to assess whether this fits into the technical definition [of genocide] formulated by international jurists and organizations,” the Holy Father writes in the book, Vatican News reported.
This is not the first time Pope Francis, who is deeply connected to Holy Land Christians and speaks daily with Gaza’s tiny beleaguered Catholic community, has strongly criticized Israel’s actions. In September, he suggested Israel’s military maneuvers in Gaza and Lebanon were “disproportionate” and “immoral.” A Palestinian delegation that met the Pope in 2023 said he used
