NewNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The Vatican’s top diplomat on Monday condemned both Hamas’s “inhumane and indefinite” October offensive in Gaza and Israel’s “ongoing genocide”, warning that even legitimate self-defense cannot justify the destruction of a “largely defenseless population”.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state and one of Pope Leo XIV’s advisers, spoke in an interview marking the second anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel – a raid that killed nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostage.
Parolin said Israel’s military response went far beyond the bounds of proportionality, turning crowded Gaza neighborhoods into ruins.
“The war waged by the Israeli military to eliminate Hamas terrorists disregards the fact that it is targeting a largely defenseless population, already pushed to the brink, in an area where buildings and homes are reduced to rubble,” he told Vatican media.
The UN’s Betrayal and Israel’s Battle for Truth
Cardinal Pietro Parolin condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, while also calling the current conflict between the two, Israel’s “ongoing genocide,” on October 6, 2025. (Stefano Carfi/IPA/SIPA/Image)
“Those who are attacked have the right to defend themselves,” he said, “but legitimate defense must also respect the principle of proportionality.”
Reuters reported that Hamas-run Gaza health officials claim the Israeli campaign has resulted in more than 67,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians.
This comment ranks among the Church’s sharpest heresies. They also mark a shift toward a more forceful Vatican voice under Leo, who succeeded Pope Francis in May.
Parolin also blamed global forces for his paralysis.
Tensions flare over dueling roles after DNC summer meeting: ‘Losing our future’
A Gazan family walks near the debris of buildings during the Eid al-Adha holiday in Gaza City on June 6, 2025. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)
“It is clear that the international community is, unfortunately, powerless and that the countries actually capable of exerting influence have so far failed to act to stop the ongoing genocide,” he said.
“I can only repeat the very clear words spoken by Pope Leo on 20 July: ‘I renew my appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as mass punishment, indiscriminate use of force and forced displacement of populations.’
Parolin went further, questioning the morality of arms sales to parties in the conflict.
Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil claims. 7 Terror attack was ‘desperate effort’ for Gaza
Pope Leo XIV gives his blessing to the faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on August 27, 2025. (Ricardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“It is not enough to say that what is happening is unacceptable and then continue to allow it to happen,” he said.
“We must seriously ask ourselves about the legality … of continuing to supply weapons that are being used against civilians.”
In July, Pope Leo XIV expressed sadness that Gaza’s only Catholic church was hit in an apparent Israeli strike, leaving at least two dead and several injured. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said that “stray ammunition” hit the church.
Parolin’s warning comes as European leaders face growing pressure to do more than address the land issue of concern. His use of “genocide” echoed humanitarian groups who say Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has collapsed.
Click here to get the Fox News app
At the same time, he reiterated the Church’s demand that Hamas free all remaining hostages.
“Those attacks were inhumane and unconscionable,” he said, underscoring that neither side’s suffering diminishes that of the other.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Vatican on this matter.
Reuters contributed to this report.
