Pope calls for investigation into Gaza conflict in new book

Pope Francis said international officials should determine if the war in Gaza fits into the definition of a genocide, according to excerpts from an upcoming book Vatican News published Sunday. In the book, Francis applauds Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan and Lebanon for accepting refugees from across the region, especially those who have fled Gaza. Francis has routinely called for peace in Gaza and has criticized Israel’s actions in the war. He has stopped short of suggesting the war amounts to a genocide, but he has characterized the war in Gaza as terrorism.

When will the book be published? The book, entitled “Hope never disappoints: Pilgrims toward a better world” is set to be released Tuesday in Italy, Spain, and Latin America. It is written by Hernán Reyes Alcaide and is based on interviews with Francis. The Catholic Church is due to celebrate a jubilee year in 2025 and the book is being published as part of the celebration.

Has Israel reacted to the comments? Israel has maintained that it is acting in self-defense and that the country is facing threats from multiple fronts, said Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman. The attack by Hamas on Israel in October of last year was a genocide, he said. The United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Dig deeper: Read Collin Garbarino’s review of the movie Conclave.