There’s something deeply unsettling about how the Vatican is responding to the Israel–Hamas war this week—its moral positioning is shaky, inconsistent, and profoundly hypocritical. The Vatican’s failure to name terrorism for what it is while simultaneously lecturing Israel on restraint is not diplomacy; it’s moral cowardice in a cassock.
The Pope’s Recent Statements: Measured, But Misguided
In the past 24 hours, Pope Leo XIV intensified criticism of Israel, calling the Gaza conflict “barbarity,” denouncing the “indiscriminate use of force,” and stressing the need to protect civilians and places of worship. He spoke with particular emotion about the deaths at Gaza’s Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic church, where civilians were killed and a priest wounded during an Israeli airstrike. These tragedies deserve sorrow and scrutiny—but the Pope's statements conspicuously failed to include Hamas by name as the initiator of the entire war.
Ten days after the October 7 massacre, when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, brutally murdering over 1,200 people—including babies, women, and the elderly—the Vatican’s reaction was muted. Rather than directly condemn the attackers, Pope Leo issued a generic appeal for peace. He has consistently adopted “both sides” language, even when one side, Hamas, is a terrorist organization operating with genocidal intent.
This moral hedging matters. Language from powerful institutions influences global sentiment and international policy. When the Vatican tiptoes around the truth, it undermines the clarity necessary to confront evil.
Moral Ambiguity or Moral Failure?
Let’s examine why the Vatican’s current position is not just disappointing—it’s dangerous:
- Soft Language on Terror The Pope’s refusal to name Hamas as a terrorist group in the immediate aftermath of October 7—and his continued equivocation—emboldens extremism. When moral leaders hesitate, radicals interpret it as permission.
- Selective Indignation Strikes on religious sites are immediately condemned. But when Jewish civilians are slaughtered, when children are burned alive or kidnapped, the Vatican suddenly finds nuance. It’s a one-sided application of compassion that reeks of double standards.
- A Compromised Voice The Vatican has no standing to lecture any state about violence or justice when it has failed so egregiously in its own moral duties. This is the same institution that covered up widespread child abuse, protected abusers, and only offered apologies after public pressure became unbearable. This is also the same institution that entered agreements with tyrannical regimes—including Communist China—at the expense of underground Catholics who were tortured and imprisoned.
To hear such an institution speak about “barbarity” is rich with irony.
A History of Complicity
History is not on the Vatican’s side when it comes to moral clarity:
- During the Holocaust, Pope Pius XII maintained a controversial silence while millions of Jews were slaughtered. Even when presented with evidence of genocide, the Vatican failed to speak boldly.
- In Latin America, the Church remained eerily quiet or complicit during oppressive regimes that murdered dissidents.
- And in modern times, it has remained diplomatically engaged with authoritarian nations while turning a blind eye to the persecution of Christians and others.
This track record does not inspire confidence when the Vatican calls out democratic Israel for defending itself from terrorist aggression.
Misplaced Priorities in the Holy Land
While the Vatican is right to mourn civilian deaths in Gaza and pray for peace, it has failed to demonstrate equal outrage at the brutal violence that precipitated the conflict.
Where was the outrage when Israeli families were slaughtered in their homes? When concertgoers were raped and executed? When hostages were dragged into tunnels? When videos of decapitated victims circulated online? The Vatican’s response was tepid at best.
And now, when Israel responds militarily to defend its citizens and dismantle a terror network embedded among civilians, the Vatican lectures restraint. It’s easy to demand restraint when you're not facing rockets, not burying children, not watching your people slaughtered.
Final Thoughts: Truth Before Diplomacy
The Vatican must remember this: diplomacy without moral clarity is just appeasement dressed in robes. If the Church wants to be a force for peace, it must also be a voice for truth. That means naming Hamas for what it is. That means standing with a sovereign democracy defending itself against annihilation.
Until then, its sermons on peace will ring hollow.
As Jesus once said, “First take the plank out of your own eye.”
Let the Vatican clean its own house before throwing stones at Israel.
Sources:
- Reuters: Pope decries “barbarity” in Gaza after strike on church.
- The Guardian: Vatican criticizes Israeli actions without naming Hamas.
- Washington Post: After strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church.
- Times of Israel: Netanyahu calls out Vatican’s weak response.
- FT: Vatican defends humanitarian aid to Gaza despite attack.
- Wikipedia: Historical controversies of Vatican foreign policy.
