Pope Francis reflects on 153 women and children killed by Israeli attack last week in Gaza

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Pope Francis said on Friday that he is thinking of 153 women and children recently killed by an Israeli attack in Gaza.

"Brothers and sisters, war is always a defeat, always!" Francis told his audience in St. Peter’s Square, addressing believers for All Saints' Day, celebrated by Catholics every Nov. 1.

Mentioning conflict in Ukraine, Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan before calling for peace in the Mideast, he said the “ignobility of warfare” symbolizes "the victory of lies and deceit, pursuing the greatest benefit for oneself while inflicting maximum harm on the opponent, disregarding human lives, the environment, and infrastructure – all concealed by falsehoods."

Reflecting on an Israeli army airstrike last week in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, he said he was thinking of "the 153 women and children massacred in recent days in Gaza."

Last week's casualties are among the latest additions to the grim toll from Israel's assault on Gaza, with over 43,000 people killed, most of them women and children, and more than 101,000 injured, with numbers rising daily, nearly 13 months into Israel's ongoing offensive.

- Solidarity with flood-hit Spain

The pontiff also expressed solidarity with the people affected by the flood disaster in Spain, with a death toll of over 200, saying he is praying for the people of Valencia.

He extended his condolences for those who have lost their lives and called for support for those suffering and for those who are giving aid.