Pope meets relatives of Israeli hostages and Palestinians in Gaza and sets off firestorm over words

Published November 22, 2023 3:54 AM

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has met separately with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinians living through the war and set off a firestorm by using words that Vatican diplomats usually avoid: “Terrorism” and according to the Palestinians “genocide.” He held the meetings before his weekly general audience Wednesday. The meetings were arranged before the Israeli-Hamas hostage deal and a temporary halt in fighting was announced. Francis didn’t refer to the deal which marked the biggest diplomatic breakthrough since the war erupted following Hamas’ Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel.

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