Pope Francis condemns anti-Semitism, calls for Gaza ceasefire

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed concern over what he described as a “worrying rise in anti-Semitism” across the globe, while also denouncing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and once again urging for a ceasefire.

At 88, and following medical advice to scale back his activities, the pontiff did not lead the Vatican’s traditional Easter Mass but made an appearance at the end of the ceremony to deliver his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing — his address to the city of Rome and the world.

“I am thinking of the people of Gaza, especially its Christians, where the devastating conflict continues to bring loss of life, destruction, and a deeply distressing humanitarian emergency,” read the pope’s traditional Easter address, delivered by a collaborator as Francis sat in his wheelchair at the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.

The address also highlighted the pope’s long-standing view that genuine peace cannot exist without fundamental rights and mutual respect. “Peace requires freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and regard for differing opinions,” he said in his message.

Before a recent five-week hospitalization for pneumonia, a condition that nearly claimed his life, Francis had increasingly criticized Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, calling the humanitarian conditions in the enclave “very serious and shameful” during remarks earlier in January.

In the Easter message, the pontiff said the situation in Gaza was ”dramatic and deplorable”. The pope also called on Palestinian terrorist group Hamas to release its remaining hostages and condemned what he said was a ”worrisome” trend of antisemitism in the world.

”I express my closeness to the sufferings … of all the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” said the message.

”I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace,” it said.

Hamas last week rejected an Israeli proposal for another temporary truce, instead demanding a deal to end the war in exchange for the release of hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday he had instructed the Israeli military to intensify pressure on Hamas.

The war was triggered by the Hamas-led October 7 attack on southern Israel in 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities. The Gaza health ministry says 1,600 people have been killed in the past month.

Earlier on Sunday, Francis held a meeting at the Vatican with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who has been visiting Italy over the weekend.

The Vatican said the meeting with Vance was brief, ”lasting a few minutes”, in order to exchange Easter greetings.

With inputs from agencies