In passages taken from an upcoming book, Pope Francis has addressed the topic for the first time, calling for an investigation to ascertain whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The pope stated in quotes released by the Italian daily La Stampa on Sunday that “what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide, according to some experts.”
“To find out if it fits into the technical definition developed by jurists and international bodies, we should conduct a thorough investigation,” he continued.
The book, Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims towards a Better World, was written by Hernan Reyes Alcaide and is based on interviews with the pope. It will be made public on Tuesday in advance of the pope’s jubilee in 2025, which is anticipated to draw over 30 million people.
