The pontiff's condemnation of atrocities in Gaza reveals an increasing anger over Israel's actions in the holy land

Israeli officials fear the pope’s vocal criticisms and symbolic gestures - such as this year’s nativity scene in St Peter’s Square featuring baby Jesus resting on a Palestinian keffiyeh - may influence global public opinion.

Created by Bethlehem artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, the nativity scene prominently features Palestinian materials, including olive wood, a symbol of Palestinian resilience.

During its unveiling, Pope Francis condemned the global arms industry for profiting from human suffering and reiterated his call for an end to all wars, urging the faithful to remember those suffering in the holy land.

The display, praised by many as a message of solidarity and peace, drew backlash from Israel’s supporters, who accused the Vatican of promoting a pro-Palestinian agenda.

  • Infynis@midwest.socialEnglish
    321·
    4 days ago

    He’s about as with it as you can expect the Pope to be. The Catholic Church has never really lead the charge of progress

    • ggtdbz@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      5·
      3 days ago

      The fact that he’s not advocating for the wholesale execution of trans people out in the street makes some people think he’s some kind of “crazy” pro LGBT “corruptor” of good Christian families.

      At least here where I am, a stone’s throw away from Palestine, these are not topics that are dealt with with a lot of open mindedness. I hate “hate the sin not the sinner” just as much as anyone else on Lemmy, but I’ve seen the effect his rhetoric (specifically on gay people) has had and it’s certainly better than Benedictus 16 before him.

      I don’t agree with everything he says (I attended a Catholic school, which is never a faith-enhancing experience) but I’m damn certain that he’s slowly dragging most of the Catholic faithful kicking and screaming into the 21st century when he just as easily could have been ten times worse on social issues. As far as a pope goes, this is pretty much the best case scenario as far as this stuff is concerned. The industrial-scale child abuse still needs a lot of work though. Let’s not kid ourselves.

      Now if only he knew what a compiler is.

      • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        2 days ago

        The purpose of the church is not to drive progress, but to drag the stragglers along. And they do it rather adeptly, first it’s “You shall still love them, even if they sin”, because that was always church doctrine, then it’s “of course sinners can be part of the flock, we all are sinners”, because that was always church doctrine, and then, a generation or five later it’s “How can it be sin, god made them like this”, because that was always church doctrine. Everything has always been always church doctrine, there’s nothing new under the sun.

    • njm1314@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      4 days ago

      Is he? Is he really as with it as I can expect the pope to be? Is stopping the mass molestation and rape of children really too much to ask?

    • Echo Dot@feddit.ukEnglish
      13·
      4 days ago

      Progressiveness is hard, you have to hate someone.

      I have to say as far as inspirational quotes go, it lacks something.

        • Echo Dot@feddit.ukEnglish
          21·
          3 days ago

          No I’m making fun of the fact of that the pope is a “good Pope” because he’s slightly better than the previous popes. It’s a pretty low bar.