VATICAN (CNS): The “whole situation” in the Middle East “is very serious,” Pope Leo XIV told reporters on September 9, after Israel launched an attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
“In these moments, there is very serious news of an Israeli attack against some Hamas leaders, but in Qatar,” the pope noted. Qatar, in the Persian Gulf, has been trying to mediate an end to the war between Israel and Hamas. The country’s capital is Doha.
“The whole situation is very serious,” the pope told the reporters who were waiting for him as he left Castel Gandolfo to return to the Vatican.
António Guterres, UN secretary-general, told a news conference in New York, “I condemn this fragrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.”
Pope Leo also told reporters gathered outside the Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo that he had just tried to phone Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, the only Latin-rite Catholic Church in Gaza.
“I just tried to call the pastor, but I have no news,” the pope said. Israeli planes dropped leaflets on Gaza City in the morning, warning of a new attack on the city and encouraging civilians to evacuate.
Priests at both the compounds of the Greek Orthodox St. Porphyrius Church and Holy Family Church previously refused to evacuate since they were providing refuge for hundreds of civilians, including the elderly and children, who have nowhere else to go.
We need to pray a lot,” Pope Leo said.
