Pope: Help the suffering people of Gaza and respect human rights of all

Pope Leo addresses journalists by Castel Gandolfo Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday evening, Pope Leo once again called on the international community to assist the people of Gaza, insisting that human rights must be respected "for everyone".

Responding to a question about activists involved in the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, following reports that some had been handcuffed and blindfolded, the Pope said that "we must renew our appeal for the respect of the human rights" of every person.

He went on to lament the continued suffering of civilians in Gaza, noting that "unfortunately, the people of Gaza are still not receiving humanitarian aid." The Pope explained that this situation "is provoking protests" and with them complications, including those who were involved in the Flotilla.

"I would also like to renew this not only as an invitation, but truly as an appeal", he continued, urging "all authorities to assist and accompany the people of Gaza, and to help begin reconstruction". "The people are truly suffering," the Pope said, adding that they "continue to suffer greatly."

Asked what it means when unarmed peace activists are met with violence, Pope Leo warned of the danger of fuelling further hatred. "We are provoking more and more hatred," he said, adding that "violence does not help. From any side". Instead, the Pope stressed the need "to return to negotiations" and "to seek, through dialogue, to resolve problems", always "respecting the human rights of everyone."

The Pope also reflected on the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare, warning against technologies that distance decision-making from the value of human life.

Referring to recent conflicts, including in Lebanon, the Pope noted that today "war is being waged with AI, without thinking about human lives, which are truly victims of all this".

With this in mind, the Pope renewed his appeal for peace and spoke of the need to pursue what he described as a "disarmed artificial intelligence".

Responding to a question about how the Vatican intends to continue engaging with major artificial intelligence companies following the publication of his recent encyclical, the Pope revealed that dialogue is already ongoing.

He then described the ongoing collaboration between the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the AI company Anthropic. "There was a kind of joint work", he explained and the invitation was expressed yesterday by both sides."

"I think is very important: to continue the dialogue and truly seek a disarmed artificial intelligence", he concluded.