Pope Leo denounces Gaza humanitarian situation in Christmas sermon, compares it to the Nativity

Pope Leo on Thursday denounced the humanitarian situation in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon and compared it to the birth of Jesus. The pope argued that the Jesus nativity story in a stable showed that God had "pitched his fragile tent" among the nations of the world. 

"How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?" the pope asked rhetorically. 

"Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds," the pope continued.

However, Pope Leo did not address the fact that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is a direct result of the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli civilians or the fact that Hamas terrorists have deliberately used Gazan civilians as human shields in flagrant violation of international law. 

While decrying war as destructive, the pope also appeared to indirectly compare Hamas’ aggression with Israel's response to neutralize the terror organization threatening its national security.

"Fragile are the minds and lives of young people forced to take up arms, who on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths," the pope argued.

The late Pope Francis vocally criticized Israel’s self-defense military operations against Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist militias while largely ignoring the threats and attacks against the Jewish state. This led to a decline in diplomatic ties between the Vatican and the State of Israel. By contrast, the American-born Pope Leo has tried to improve relations with Jerusalem with a more balanced approach. 

Pope Leo and Israeli President Isaac Herzog recently discussed interfaith dialogue and the rise of global antisemitism, with the pope reaffirming his rejection of antisemitism and his commitment to relations with the Jewish people. The two leaders also addressed the recent Islamist massacre of 15 Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Australia.

The pope, who recently visited Turkey and Lebanon, spoke in favor of the internationally supported two-state solution in the Middle East. 

“For years now, the Holy See has publicly supported the proposal for a two-state solution,” Pope Leo said. 

“We all know that Israel does not yet accept this proposal,” he continued. However, the pope nevertheless argued that “We see it as the only solution that could offer a resolution to the ongoing conflict they are constantly living through.”

Pope Leo did not address the fact that a majority of Israelis used to support the two state solution before concluding that the other side prioritizes Israel’s destruction over genuine co-existence. The Oct. 7 massacre, which according to Arab polls was supported by 85% of the Arabic-speaking population in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, only strengthened the Israeli public’s current opposition to a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, argued that political decisions made during the time of Jesus and today have impacted people living in the Holy Land. 

"Here, in the Holy Land, this truth resonates with special force. To celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem is to recognize that God has chosen a real land marked by wounds and expectations," Pizzaballa said. He also addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 

"Families in Gaza remain in the rubble, and the future is uncertain," he assessed.

"We come from years of great hardship, in which war, violence, hunger, and destruction have deeply marked the lives of so many, especially the little ones. The situation has become too heavy, relationships too conflicting. Starting over and rebuilding has become too hard. In these years, history has shown all its contradictions, reality has come to us with its heavy, complicated, and sad side. However, what is concrete and painful evidence for us is also felt elsewhere in the world."