Pope Francis Condemns Killings Of Civilians In Gaza Church

Pope Francis on Sunday condemned an Israeli military attack on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Parish. Earlier, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said that a Christian mother and daughter had been shot dead by an Israeli sniper inside the Holy Family Parish.

“I continue receiving very serious and painful news from Gaza,” said Pope Francis at his weekly blessing on Sunday. Pope Francis said that unarmed civilians are the objects of bombings and shootings and added that it happened even inside the Holy Family parish complex. The Pope also said that there are no terrorists in the parish complex, but only nuns, families, children, and people who are sick or disabled. Pope Francis said that the mother and daughter were killed by “snipers” and also added that a convent was damaged by Israeli tank fire.

POPE FRANCIS CALLS OUT ISRAEL FOR TERRORISM

This is to Israel attacking the Catholic Parish in Gaza, where 2 Christians were assassinated

Pope Francis said “IT IS TERRORISM” pic.twitter.com/HPPemkyDxH

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) December 17, 2023

“Some would say ‘It is war. It is terrorism. Yes, it is war. It is terrorism,” said Pope Francis. At the same time, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Reuters that the incident was still under review and had no immediate comment on the Pope”s statement. “The IDF only targets terrorists and terror infrastructure and does not target civilians, no matter their religion,” Reuters quoted the Israeli military as saying.

Earlier, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem mentioned in its statement on December 16 that no warning was given before the shooting started. The patriarchate also added that both victims, including an elderly woman and her daughter, “were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the parish, where there are no belligerents.” The patriarchate also mentioned that an Israeli tank has fired three rockets targeting a convent of the Sisters of Mother Teresa charity. This attack has destroyed the convent”s generator and fuel supplies. Meanwhile, as per the Gaza Health Ministry report, the offensive in Gaza has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians.