Pope Francis was an outspoken critic of Israel’s attacks on Gaza and made regular calls for a ceasefire, Al Jazeera reports.

Here are some of the occasions he publicly condemned the war on the besieged enclave:

  • During Francis’s last public remarks on Sunday on the occasion of Easter, the pontiff said: “The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip is generating death and destruction and causing a horrific and shameful humanitarian situation.” He urged a ceasefire and for aid to be allowed to enter Gaza. Israel has blocked the entry of all aid since March 2.

  • In January, Francis condemned Israel’s military campaign, calling the humanitarian crisis “very serious and shameful”. “We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians,” the pope said in an address.

  • In November, the pope suggested the global community should study whether Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a genocide case against Israel. The late pontiff often was criticised by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the pope’s comments “disgraceful”.

  • In September, Francis decried the deaths of Palestinian children in Israeli military strikes in Gaza, calling the bombing of schools on the “presumption” of striking Hamas fighters “ugly”.

Opinion

Editorial

Missing in action
17 Mar, 2026

Missing in action

NOT exactly known for playing a proactive role in protecting the interests of Muslim nations and populations...
Risk to stability
Updated 17 Mar, 2026

Risk to stability

THE risks to Pakistan’s fragile economic recovery from the US-Israel war on Iran cannot be dismissed. Yet the...
Enrolment push
17 Mar, 2026

Enrolment push

THE federal government has embarked upon the welcome initiative to enrol 25,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad...
Holding the line
16 Mar, 2026

Holding the line

PAKISTAN’S long battle against polio has recently produced encouraging signs. Data from the national eradication...
Power self-reliance
Updated 16 Mar, 2026

Power self-reliance

PAKISTAN’S transition to domestic sources of electricity is a welcome development for a country that has long been...
Looking for safety
16 Mar, 2026

Looking for safety

AS the Middle East conflict enters its third week, the war’s most enduring victims are not those who wage it....