Pope Francis decries antisemitism, war and terrorism amid rise of anti-Israel protests

Pope Francis decries antisemitism, war and terrorism amid rise of anti-Israel protests

Pope Francis decried antisemitism, war and terrorism in a written speech that he shared on Monday. Francis initially met with European rabbis in the Vatican and was scheduled to give the speech but said he was "not well" and declined to read it.

"Yet again violence and war have erupted in that Land blessed by the Most High, which seems continually assailed by the vileness of hatred and the deadly clash of weapons," Francis wrotev in the speech, describing Israel’s war with Hamas that has now seen thousands of casualties on both sides since Oct. 7.

Francis, 86, also addressed a wave of antisemitic protests, vandalism and general criticism of Israel that has been on the rise in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria and other countries.

He said his first thought and prayers goes "above all else, to everything that has happened in the last few weeks," referencing the Israel-Hamas war and the subsequent humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "The spread of antisemitic demonstrations, which I strongly condemn, is also of great concern," he added.

The pontiff said believers in God are called to build "fraternity and open paths of reconciliation for all."