Pope Leo avoids declaration of ‘genocide’ in Gaza, voices ‘grave concern’ over war

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday voiced “grave concern” over the situation in the Gaza Strip amid the war against Hamas, but stopped short of accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

“The word genocide is being thrown around more and more,” the pontiff said in an interview with U.S. journalist Elise Ann Allen for the book Pope Leo XIV: Global Citizen, Missionary of the 21st Century.

The interview was conducted in July but published on Thursday.

“Officially, the Holy See does not believe that we can make any declaration at this time about that,” said the pontiff, adding: “There’s a very technical definition about what genocide might be, but more and more people are raising the issue.”

Leo expressed solidarity with Gaza’s civilian population, saying Palestinians had “once again” been forced from their homes and were living in “unacceptable conditions” as a result of the fighting, which was initiated with Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

Despite “some very clear statements” from U.S. President Donald Trump, there has been no clear response on finding effective ways to ease the suffering of civilians in Gaza, “and that is obviously of great concern,” Leo said.

“We can’t ignore this. Somehow, we have to continue to push, to try and make a change there,” he added.

Last month, Pope Leo urged all parties to reach an agreement to end the war between Israel and Hamas, including the release of all the hostages.

“I once again issue a strong appeal … so that an end may be put to the conflict in the Holy Land, which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death,” he said.

“I implore that all hostages be freed, that a permanent ceasefire be reached, that the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and that international humanitarian law be fully respected,” he added.

The pope said that law required “the obligation to protect civilians, prohibitions against collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of the population.”

In July, the pontiff called for an immediate ceasefire, expressing concern following a strike by the Israel Defense Forces against Hamas terrorists that inadvertently hit Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog attended the inauguration at the Vatican in May and has hailed the pope’s calls for the release of Israel’s hostages as a “compassionate signal from the heart of the Catholic world.”