The Vatican's top diplomat sharply criticised Israel's "ongoing massacre" in Gaza in comments published on Monday – one of the Catholic Church's strongest condemnations of Israel's war against the militant group Hamas.

In an interview marking the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, Cardinal Pietro Parolin called those attacks “inhuman and indefensible” and urged Hamas to release remaining hostages.

“Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defence must respect the principle of proportionality,” said Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State and one of Pope Leo’s top deputies.

“The war waged by the Israeli army to eliminate Hamas militants disregards the fact that it is targeting a largely defenceless population,

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