Pope Francis addressed pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He emphasized the importance of continued commitment to human rights, specifically mentioning the need to protect civilians, hospitals, places of worship, and to release hostages and ensure humanitarian aid.
The Pope’s remarks seemed to reference the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. Following a Hamas attack on Israel, Israeli bombing in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 17,000 Palestinians, including many children and women. The bombing has also caused extensive damage to buildings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and religious sites. Israel has forced a large number of Palestinians to relocate to an area with limited access to essential supplies and has restricted the entry of humanitarian aid.
Pope Francis urged prayers for all those suffering due to war, specifically mentioning Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel. He questioned whether concrete steps towards peace could be taken with God’s help, acknowledging the challenges posed by conflicts with deep historical roots. However, he highlighted the examples of individuals who have worked for peaceful coexistence and called for efforts to address and eliminate the root causes of conflicts.
The Pope expressed his support for those who defend the rights of marginalized individuals, emphasizing his solidarity with them. He also commented on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing joy at the release of prisoners from both sides and encouraging the parties to work towards a peace treaty.
Pope Francis concluded his message by mentioning the U.N.-sponsored COP28 climate conference in Dubai, which he was unable to attend due to bronchitis. He asked for prayers for the conference’s success in caring for the environment and protecting people’s well-being.