Pope calls out Gaza parish victims by name, demands ‘humanitarian law’ be observed
Leo XIV's sorrow over the tragic news from Gaza runs "deep". In his Angelus appeal in Castel Gandolfo, he calls for the “prohibition of collective punishment" and “forced displacement of the population.”
Rome (AsiaNews) – This morning, at the Angelus in Piazza della Libertà, Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV focused on the “Tragic news [that] continues to arrive [. . .] from the Middle East”, his sorrow running “deep" over Israel's attack on the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, which Bishop William Shomali described to AsiaNews as "terrible and scandalous."
“I am particularly close to their families and to all the parishioners,” said Pope Leo repeating the name of the three victims: “Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud”.
“Sadly, this act adds to the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza,” he said. “I again call for an immediate halt to the barbarism of the war and for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
The pontiff renewed his appeal to the international community that the parties “observe humanitarian law and to respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population.”
In an address to the Christian communities of the Middle East, he said: “I deeply sympathise with your feeling that you can do little in the face of this grave situation. You are in the heart of the Pope and of the whole Church. Thank you for your witness of faith.” Calling on the Virgin Mary, may she “protect you always and accompany the world towards the dawn of peace.”
Before the Angelus, the pontiff greeted the faithful in the streets as he made his way from the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo, where he has been staying for the past two weeks resting, to the Cathedral of Albano Laziale, dedicated to Saint Pancras the Martyr, where he celebrated Mass at 9:30 am.
Speaking to reporters present, he stated: “The world can no longer tolerate this; there is so much conflict, so many wars; we must truly work for peace.” Like last Sunday, he described the current situation as “a significant moment of ecclesial communion and encounter with the diocesan community.”
Today's readings focused on “hospitality, service, and listening," the pope said at the start of his homily. In Luke (10:38-42), where Jesus is a guest in the home of the sisters Martha and Mary, one "welcomes him by serving him, while the other sits at his feet, listening to him”.
Here, “Jesus responds to the first sister’s complaints [. . .] by inviting her to recognize the value of listening”. At the same time, the attitudes of the two women are not to be seen as "mutually exclusive," but as “twin dimensions of hospitality.” First and foremost, toward God.
“Although it is true that we must live out our faith through concrete actions, faithfully carrying out our duties [...] it is essential that we do so only after meditating,” the pontiff explained. This is one aspect that “we particularly need to reclaim today.”
Indeed, the summer months are a “providential time” for this; hence, “Let us make good use of this, by leaving behind the whirlwind of commitments and worries in order to savour a few moments of peace, of reflection, taking time as well to visit other places and share in the joy of seeing others.”
A “culture of peace” can be promoted helping us “overcome divisions and hostility and to build communion between individuals, peoples and religions,” Leo said in his homily.
He also cited Pope Francis, who at the Angelus on 21 July 2019, stressed two key attitudes for “savoring life with joy.” A few months into the pandemic, Francis highlighted “‘being at the feet of Jesus’, in order to listen to him as he reveals to us the secret of everything,” and “being attentive and ready in hospitality, when he passes and knocks at our door”.
Sucha actions certainly require a certain “effort”, Leo XIV emphasised. “But it is precisely by making an effort that something worthwhile can be built in life; it is the only way to form and nurture strong and genuine relationships between people. Thus, with the foundations of everyday life, the Kingdom of God grows and manifests its presence.”
In the end, like Abraham in the first reading (Gen 18:1-10a), Mary and Martha remind us that “listening and service are two complementary attitudes that enable us to open ourselves and our lives to the blessings of the Lord.”
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