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Vatican Offers To Mediate In Israel-Hamas War

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

VATICAN CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The Vatican has offered to mediate to end the Israel-Hamas war but also urged Israeli authorities to show “proportionality” in its response to the “inhuman” Hamas attack that killed 1,400 people including babies.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in published remarks that the “Holy See is ready for any necessary mediation, as always,” reiterating Pope Francis’ call for all hostages held by Hamas to be released.

“The terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and other militias against thousands of Israelis who were about to celebrate the day of Simchat Torah, concluding the week of the Sukkot festival, is inhuman,” he said. “The Holy See expresses complete and firm condemnation.”

Parolin also expressed solidarity with the families of the hostages, but insisted, “it is necessary to regain a sense of reason, abandon the blind logic of hatred, and reject violence as a solution. It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the parameter of proportionality.”

Parolin conceded that finding a peaceful solution may not be possible. “I do not know how much room for dialogue there can be between Israel and the Hamas militia, but if there is—and we hope there is—it should be pursued immediately and without delay,” he said. “This is to avoid further bloodshed, as is happening in Gaza, where many innocent civilian victims have been caused by the Israeli army’s attacks.”

The cardinal offered the Vatican’s availability to mediate saying, “The Holy See is ready for any necessary mediation, as always. In the meantime, we try to speak with the institutions whose channels are already open. However, any mediation to end the conflict must take into account a series of elements that make the issue very complex and articulated, such as the issue of Israeli settlements, security, and the issue of the city of Jerusalem.”

“A solution can be found in direct dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis, encouraged and supported by the international community, even though it will be more difficult now,” he said.

LONG HISTORY

The Vatican has a long history of supporting peace in the region.

Pope John Paul II met with the Palestinian leadership in 1987, which paved the way for an agreement between the Vatican and the Palestinian National Authority.

Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis both visited the region, and Palestinian authority opened an embassy to the Vatican in 2017.

While mediation efforts may be underway, Pope Francis urged a halt to the conflict in Gaza calling for humanitarian aid and help for those injured in order to ease the “very grave” situation.

“I keep thinking about the grave situation in Palestine and Israel where many people have lost their life. I pray you to stop in the name of god, cease the fire,” he said, Sunday after speaking to crowds in St Peter’s Square after his weekly Angelus prayer.

“I hope that all will be done to avoid the conflict from widening, that the injured will be rescued and aid will arrive to the population of Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is very grave,” he added.

The pontiff renewed his calls for a ceasefire and for the release of more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack, focusing on the children, who he said “must return to their families”