Pope condemns massacre of women and children in Gaza

On All Saints' Day, Pope Francis offered a poignant message in St Peter's Square- Vatican city, expressing profound sorrow over the long-running violence that Israel has imposed on Gaza, where he condemned the massacre of 153 women and children carried out by Israeli security fiorces.

"Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, let us pray for Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and for all the peoples who are suffering because of war," the Pope said. 

His call for peace resonated with the faithful gathered in the iconic square as he reflected on the devastating impacts of war globally.

In his address, the Pope categorised warfare as "ignoble," characterising it as a triumph of lies and deception that leads to the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of both human and environmental resources.

He stressed that war results in maximum harm to the adversary while masking its true cost with falsehoods.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

Since then vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine on a 2 million densely-packed population majoirty of which is comprising children and women.

Israel has killed nearly 43,300 Palestinians, wounded more than 102,000 others in Gaza and is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its military onslaught.

The Pope's remarks were not limited to Gaza; he also extended his thoughts to other regions plagued by violence. He highlighted the recent terror attack in Chad, where 40 soldiers lost their lives due to an assault by Boko Haram militants.

Expressing his closeness to the victims and their families, he called for solidarity and prayers for those affected.

Additionally, Pope Francis remembered the victims of a severe storm that struck the Valencian community in Spain, expressing condolences for the deceased and support for those impacted by the disaster. He prayed for comfort for families suffering from the storm's aftermath.

Pope Francis concluded his address with a heartfelt plea for peace, urging the faithful to pray for an end to violence and to work towards healing the wounds inflicted by war.