Pope Leo condemns living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza
In his Christmas homily, Pope Leo condemned the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, saying that refusing aid to the poor was tantamount to rejecting God.
VATICAN CITY, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Pope Leo on Friday condemned the use of military force as a means to achieve diplomatic goals in an unusually sharp annual foreign policy address, in which he also called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela.
Leo, the first US pope, said the weakening of international institutions in the face of global conflict was “a particular cause for concern.”
“Diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks agreement from all parties is being replaced by diplomacy based on force,” Leo told the approximately 184 ambassadors appointed by the Vatican.
“War is back in fashion and enthusiasm for war is widespread,” said Leo, who was elected pope in May.
Referring to US President Donald Trump’s overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend, the Pope called on governments to “respect the will” of the Venezuelan people from now on.
He said the state must “protect the human and civil rights” of Venezuelans.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Frances Kelly)
