Pope Francis Condemns Israeli Strikes on Lebanon and Civilian Casualties

Pope Francis has expressed his disapproval of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and unarmed civilians, deeming these actions as morally unacceptable.

During a flight back to Rome from Belgium, Pope Francis stated, according to a Reuters report, that nations should not resort to such aggression in the use of military force, emphasizing that even in war, ethical considerations must be upheld. He remarked, “War is unethical, but the rules of war also demonstrate some ethics.”

In response to a question during a press conference on board, the 87-year-old pontiff noted that defense should always be proportionate to the attack, asserting that when there is a lack of proportion, it leads to one side gaining dominance, which transcends ethical boundaries.

Pope Francis also expressed deep anger over the deaths of children due to Israel’s severe bombardment in Gaza. He mentioned that he speaks daily with Catholic clergy in Gaza, who keep him informed about the situation and the atrocities occurring there.