Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Oct 7, 2025 / 11:58 am
Pope Leo XIV called Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, an act of terrorism that cannot be tolerated and lamented the large number of Palestinian lives lost during “a painful two years.”
Addressing a group of journalists just outside his Castel Gandolfo residence, Villa Barberini, on Oct. 7, the pope said: “Two years ago it was a terroristic attack. … more than 200 people killed.”
“We really need to think hard about how much hatred there is in the world and start with ourselves, asking why it exists and what we can do about it,” he added. “Then, in two years, 60,000–67,000 Palestinians have been killed. It really makes you think about how much violence there is and how good it is to promote peace.”
Leo answered questions from journalists as he left Castel Gandolfo to return to the Vatican. He has spent every Tuesday at the papal retreat, located 18 miles south of Rome, since Sept. 9.
“It is certain that we cannot accept groups that cause terrorism; we must always reject this style of hatred in the world,” the pope said, noting as well that antisemitism is also on the rise.
He pointed out that he has asked the Church to pray in a special way for peace during the month of October.
“We must respect the dignity of everyone. This is the message of the Church,” he said.
The pope declined to answer a question about ICE raids in Chicago. “I prefer not to comment at this time about choices made, about political choices, in the United States,” he said.
In the three-and-a-half minute exchange with journalists, Leo also commented briefly on his first international trip to Turkey and Lebanon Nov. 27–Dec. 2, announced by the Vatican on Tuesday.
The visit to the historic site of Nicaea in Turkey for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea will be a “historic moment,” he said, “but it is not to look back, it is to move forward.”
He called it a moment “of unity in the faith for all Christians” and pointed out that his predecessor, Francis, was hoping to make the trip to Turkey himself.
In Lebanon, there will be “the opportunity to proclaim once again the message of peace in the Middle East, in a country that has suffered so much,” Leo said.
“Pope Francis wanted to go there too,” the pontiff added, “he wanted to reach out to the people who are living after the explosion, after all they have suffered. We will try to bring this message of peace and hope.”
Looking ahead to the Oct. 9 release of his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te, which will be on the topic of poverty, Leo said, “that is the message of the Gospel.”
“Ultimately, whatever the pope says or announces must always be rooted in the Gospel. That is what we want to try to do,” he said.
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1200 people died on Oct 7th… not 200. I have left the catholic church forever. Stay out of politics… stay out of US politics. Likewise politicians should respect and not criticize various church’s issues such as abortion and celibacy, etc. You don’t understand world the issues such illegal aliens and invasion of our country. You don’t understand the constant violence against Israel and the US for the past 50 years thru 3000 years. The violence needs to end and Trump is trying to protect people from nuclear war and defang the brutal terrorist in Iran and free people in Iran from brutal oppression. Your ignorance on these issues are disturbing. I have left the catholic faith forever.