· Vatican City ·

Pope Francis decries destructive military action in the Middle East

‘All nations have the right to exist in peace and security’

 ‘All nations have the right to exist  in peace and security’  ING-041
11 October 2024

At the Angelus on Sunday, 6 October, Pope Francis recalled the anniversary of the 7 October attacks on Israel, renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. He also announced a Consistory for 8 December for the creation of 21 new Cardinals. Earlier, he had reflected on the day’s Gospel passage of Mark in which Jesus talks about marital love and divorce. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s words which he shared in Italian with the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Happy Sunday!

Today, in the Gospel of the liturgy (cf. Mk 10:2-16), Jesus speaks to us about marital love. As they had already done on other occasions, some Pharisees ask him a provocative question about a controversial issue: a husband’s divorce from his wife. They want to drag him into a quarrel, but he does not let them. Instead, he welcomes the opportunity to draw their attention to a more important discussion: the value of love between a man and a woman.

In Jesus’ time, the condition of women in marriage was greatly disadvantaged compared to that of men: the husband could send his wife away, even for trivial reasons, and this would be justified by legalistic interpretations of the Scriptures. This is why the Lord leads his interlocutors back to the demands of love. He reminds them that woman and man were willed by the Creator as equal in dignity and complementary in diversity in order to help each other and be each other’s companion, but also to stimulate and challenge each other to grow (cf. Gen 2:20-23).

And for this to happen, he emphasizes the need for their mutual gift to be full, to be engaging, to be without “half measures” — this is love — to be the beginning of a new life (cf. Mk 10:7; Gen 2:24), destined to last not “as long as I feel like it”, but forever, accepting each other and living united as “one flesh” (cf. Mk 10:8; Gen 2:24). Of course, this is not easy, this requires fidelity, even in difficult times, it requires respect, honesty, simplicity (cf. Mk 10:15). It requires being open to discussions, sometimes even to arguments when necessary, but also being always ready to forgive and to be reconciled to the other. And I tell you: husband and wife, fight as much as you like, provided you always make peace, before the day is over! Do you know why? Because the cold war that comes the next day is dangerous. “And tell me, father, how should we make peace?” — “A caress, like this, is enough”, but never end your day without making peace.

Let us also not forget that it is essential that spouses be open to the gift of life, to the gift of children, that are the most beautiful fruit of love, the greatest blessing from God, a source of joy and hope for every home and all of society. Have children! Yesterday, I was greatly reassured. It was the day of the Gendarmerie Corps, and a Gendarme came with his eight children! It was beautiful to see him. Please, be open to life, to what God may send you.

Dear brothers and sisters, love is demanding, yes, but it is beautiful, and the more we allow ourselves to be swept by it, the more we discover true happiness in it. And now, let each of us ask ourselves: How is my love? Is it faithful? Is it generous? Is it creative? How are our families? Are they open to life, to the gift of children?

May the Virgin Mary help Christian spouses. Let us turn to her in spiritual union with the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii for the traditional Supplication to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:

Dear brothers and sisters, tomorrow marks one year since the terror attack on the population in Israel, to whom I once again express my closeness. Let us not forget that there are still many hostages in Gaza. I ask for their immediate release. Since that day, the Middle East has been plunged into a situation of ever increasing suffering, with destructive military actions continuing to strike the Palestinian people. People are suffering very much in Gaza and in other territories. Most of them are innocent civilians. All of them are people who must receive all necessary humanitarian aid. I call for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon. Let us pray for the Lebanese, especially for those who live in the south, who are forced to leave their villages.

I appeal to the international community, that it may work to end the spiral of revenge and prevent further attacks, like the one recently carried out by Iran, that could lead the region to an even bigger war. All nations have the right to exist in peace and security, and their territories must not be attacked or invaded. Their sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through dialogue and peace, not hatred and war.

In this situation, prayer is more necessary than ever. This afternoon, we will all go to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to invoke the intercession of the Mother of God. Tomorrow will be a day of prayer and fasting for world peace. Let us unite with the power of Good against the diabolical plots of war.

I am also close to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, affected by floods. May the Lord welcome the deceased, comfort their families, and support these communities.

I greet you, people of Rome and pilgrims from Italy and many countries. My special greeting goes to the music band from Cabañas (El Salvador) — we will hear them play later on — to the Polish faithful from the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy from the Diocese of Radom, and to those who have come from Martinique. I greet the group of pilgrims from the Shrine of Our Lady of Revelation at Tre Fontane, who will bring Mary’s statue from Saint Peter’s to this Marian Sanctuary in Rome today, while praying for peace. I greet the former students of the “Poggio Galeso” Minor Seminary of Taranto, the “Teatro Patologico” Association of Rome, the band of the “Sacra Famiglia” school of Cremona and participants in “Fiabaday”, an initiative dedicated to eliminating architectural barriers.

After his Sunday Angelus reflection, Pope Francis announced that he would hold a Consistory for the creation of 21 new Cardinals on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Read page 2 for the Pope’s words.

I wish you all a happy Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Arrivederci!