Pope Francis decried antisemitism, war and terrorism in a written speech that he shared on Monday. Francis initially met with European rabbis in the Vatican and was scheduled to give the speech but said he was “not well” and declined to read it.
“Yet again violence and war have erupted in that Land blessed by the Most High, which seems continually assailed by the vileness of hatred and the deadly clash of weapons,” Francis wrotev in the speech, describing Israel’s war with Hamas that has now seen thousands of casualties on both sides since Oct. 7.
Francis, 86, also addressed a wave of antisemitic protests, vandalism and general criticism of Israel that has been on the rise in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria and other countries.
He said his first thought and prayers goes “above all else, to everything that has happened in the last few weeks,” referencing the Israel-Hamas war and the subsequent humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The spread of antisemitic demonstrations, which I strongly condemn, is also of great concern,” he added.
POPE AFFIRMS ISRAEL HAS ‘RIGHT’ TO ‘DEFEND THEMSELVES,’ MOURNS INNOCENTS IN GAZA
Pope Francis delivers his speech after his traditional Wednesday General Audience at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City March 8, 2023. (Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The pontiff said believers in God are called to build “fraternity and open paths of reconciliation for all.”
“Good morning. I greet you all and I welcome you and thank you for this visit, which greatly pleases me,” he told a delegation from the Conference of European Rabbis, Reuters reported.
“Let’s think about the children, all the children involved in this war.” — Pope Francis
“But it happens that I am not well and because of this I prefer not to read the speech but give you a copy,” the pope said, skipping the speech and setting off a brief health scare.
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Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified in a statement later that Francis was experiencing “a bit of a cold” and provided the distinguished guests the written speech.
“Pope Francis has a bit of a cold and a long day of audiences,” Bruni said, per Reuters. “He wanted to greet the European rabbis individually and so he gave them his written speech. The remainder of his activities continues regularly.”
Pope Francis meets with the delegation of the movement Laudato Si at the Vatican Nov. 6, 2023. (Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS)
On Sunday, the pontiff called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, saying the current humanitarian crisis remains “very grave” for Palestinians who are still in Gaza.
“Stop in the name of God, cease the fire” — Pope Francis
