Pope calls situation in Gaza ‘shameful,’ slams ‘bombing of civilians’

Pope Francis reiterates his recent criticisms of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave “very serious and shameful.”

In a yearly address to diplomats delivered on his behalf by an aide, Francis appears to reference deaths caused by winter cold in Gaza, where there is almost no electricity.

“We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians,” the text says. “We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country’s energy network has been hit.”

Israel says Hamas terror operatives took over multiple hospitals, using them as shelter and necessitating military action there.

The pope is present for the address but asks an aide to read it for him as he is recovering from a cold.