Pope Condemns Gaza War Barbarity as Dozens Killed Waiting for Aid

Pope Leo XIV has condemned the ongoing war in Gaza as a 'barbarity' and called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the need for the international community to respect humanitarian law and protect civilians. The pope's statements followed reports that at least 73 Palestinians were killed while queuing for aid, mostly from Israeli fire near the Zikim crossing, an incident Israel acknowledges with claims of response to threats. The pope also expressed anguish over an Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church that killed three people and injured many, including the parish priest, prompting Israel to open an investigation and express regret, which has not fully alleviated the Catholic community's calls for peace. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, described the situation in Gaza as 'unbearable' and a 'war without limits,' demanding transparency about the church strike and emphasizing the urgent need to relieve suffering. The Vatican remains open to mediation but stresses that peace requires genuine political will, while ongoing Israeli military actions continue to cause widespread devastation and humanitarian crises in Gaza. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have pressured Israel for investigations into civilian casualties, with some U.S. lawmakers proposing cuts to military aid amid growing concerns over the conflict's impact on civilians.