Pope Leo XIV Calls For Israel To Allow ‘Dignified’ Aid Into Gaza As Crisis Worsens

Pope Leo XIV addressed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Wednesday, urging Israel to permit “dignified” aid into the war-torn Palestinian region and to halt the violence disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups such as children. His statement at Vatican City, before a large audience, follows Israel’s recent decision to allow some aid into Gaza after a prolonged blockade. However, experts note that the aid deliveries are insufficient and have not yet reached the Palestinian population.

Leo emphasized the distressing situation in Gaza during his first general audience, emphasizing the toll on children, the elderly, and the sick due to ongoing hostilities. Both the Israel Defense Forces and COGAT, the aid logistics overseeing body, refrained from commenting on the Pope’s remarks.

The Pontiff’s stance aligns with his previous calls for global peace, echoing his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, who advocated for an end to conflicts and protection of vulnerable communities. Leo’s comments coincide with Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justifying the actions as necessary to “take control” of the region. Despite the implementation of limited aid distribution, concerns remain about the sufficiency and ethics of the aid delivery system proposed by Israel and the U.S.