TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Leo XIV used his inaugural mass on Sunday to highlight global conflicts, particularly emphasizing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where he said that the Palestinian people are suffering from starvation.
“Children, families, and the elderly in Gaza were reduced to starvation,” Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday during his inaugural mass at St. Peter's Square, the Vatican, as quoted by Anadolu.
Expressing gratitude to around 200,000 Catholic faithful and numerous delegations representing countries, royal families, and other churches, Pope Leo XIV added: “In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war,” according to the Vatican News Agency.
Particularly regarding Ukraine, Leo emphasized the importance of negotiations to bring about a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.
After the mass, the Pope met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the news agency.
Pope Leo XIV's comments on Gaza come amid an Israeli military campaign in the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military has continued its brutal attacks in Gaza since October 7, 2023, claiming the lives of over 53,300 Palestinian citizens, mostly women and children.
The Palestinian Government Media Office updated the death toll to over 61,700 people, noting that thousands of people still missing under the rubble are presumed to be deceased.
Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the region.
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