The press conference was not only a chance for the Latin patriarch to share an annual Christmas message but also an opportunity to share about his visit to Gaza.

Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 22 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said, while Gaza’s small Christian community celebrated a pre-Christmas Mass.

Israeli bombing in Gaza kills at least seven, bringing the death toll to 50 over the past day. Turkiye’s foreign minister meets Syria’s new administration, pledging support for political transition.

By subtly aligning the Church with anti-Israel narratives, Francis risks normalizing antisemitic tropes under the guise of empathy. It is a perilous path, one that must be confronted—not merely for the sake of Israel, but for the integrity of the Church itself.

Contrary to false allegations in the media, the request of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to enter Gaza was granted, as in the past and according to his preference,

Pope Francis reflected on the devastating consequences of the Gaza war in an address at the Vatican on Saturday, expressing deep sorrow over the bombing of children in the Gaza Strip the previous day.

Israel's Foreign Ministry swiped back at Pope Francis, whose Christmas address criticized Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as "cruelty."

JERUSALEM – Israel accused Pope Francis of “double standards” on Dec 21 after he condemned the bombing of children in Gaza as “cruelty” following an air strike that killed seven children from one family.

Israel has accused Pope Francis of displaying "double standards" following his remarks condemning the bombing of children in Gaza, describing such actions

Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire on all war fronts in his Sunday prayer ahead of Christmas celebrations, condemning the “cruelty” of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza

Pope Francis doubled down Sunday on his condemnation of Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip, denouncing their "cruelty" for the second time in as many days despite Israel accusing him of "double standards".