Pope Leo XIV spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reiterating his call for the protection of civilians and sacred sites in Gaza and the West Bank. The Pope emphasized the need for respect of International Humanitarian Law, the prohibition of the indiscriminate use of force, and the need to provide assistance to those most vulnerable. Discussions also focused on the urgent need to allow humanitarian aid into the region. Abbas has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
5 months ago
Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reiterating his urgent appeal for the protection of civilians amidst escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and West Bank 1, 2. The call, initiated by President Abbas, focused on recent developments in the conflict 1.
During the discussion, Pope Leo XIV underscored the critical need for full respect of International Humanitarian Law 1. He specifically highlighted the obligation to protect civilians and sacred sites, and condemned the indiscriminate use of force and the forced transfer of populations 1.
The Pope stressed the tragic humanitarian situation, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance to vulnerable populations 1. He also called for the adequate entry of humanitarian aid into the affected areas 1.
The conversation also served as a reminder of the tenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, which was signed on June 26, 2015, and came into force on January 2, 2016 1.
The Church's stance on just war and protection of civilians?
The Catholic Church's stance on war is complex, acknowledging the legitimacy of self-defense while consistently advocating for peace and emphasizing the immense human cost of conflict. The Church's teaching on war is primarily guided by the just war theory, which aims to limit the outbreak of war and govern its conduct, alongside a strong and growing emphasis on the pursuit of peace and the protection of human dignity .
For most of Christian history, the Church has accepted that legitimate political authorities may resist unjust aggression to defend the common good and protect innocent life, even if this requires the use of lethal force . Saint Thomas Aquinas outlined three essential conditions for a war to be considered just:
However, even if these conditions are met, a war can be rendered unlawful by a wicked intention, such as a passion for inflicting harm, a cruel thirst for vengeance, or a lust for power .
While the just war theory remains a part of Catholic tradition, recent pontiffs and Church documents have expressed increasing skepticism about its applicability in the modern world, especially given the destructive power of contemporary weaponry .
Pope Francis has stated that "we can no longer think of war as a solution because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits." He notes that it is "very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a ‘just war.’ Never again war!" . This sentiment is echoed by the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which states that "given the destructive nature of contemporary means and methods of conducting war, practically no conditions exist for a just launching of war" due to weapons of mass destruction .
The Church consistently calls for nations to find more effective ways to prevent conflicts, resolve them peacefully, and promote reconstruction and reconciliation . Pope Paul VI emphasized that the Church, by its evangelical principle of "non-violence," cannot adopt the "inhuman language" of war and suffers inwardly from its causes and effects .
A fundamental aspect of the Church's teaching on armed conflict is the permanent validity of the moral law, meaning that "the mere fact that war has regrettably broken out does not mean that everything becomes licit between the warring parties" . The principle of humanity requires the protection of civilian populations from the effects of war .
The Church explicitly condemns actions that deliberately target non-combatants or cause indiscriminate harm:
The Church honors the commitment of those who serve in armed forces, recognizing their role in ministering to the security and freedom of their peoples and contributing to peace when performing their duty rightly . However, it also recognizes the moral right to conscientious objection to war in general, a particular war, or a military procedure .
In summary, while the Catholic Church has historically recognized the possibility of a just war under strict conditions, its contemporary teaching places a strong emphasis on avoiding war, promoting peaceful resolutions, and rigorously protecting civilian life and dignity during any conflict .