In a development that could strain Vatican-Israeli relations further, Pope Francis allegedly made critical comments about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent meeting with an Iranian religious leader, according to Iranian media reports.
The remarks, published by Iran's IRNA news agency, came through Abolhassan Navab, the chancellor of the University of Religions and Denominations of Iran, who recently met with the pontiff. "We also have no problem with the Jews; the only problem is with Netanyahu who, ignoring international laws and human rights, has created crises in the region and the world," the Pope reportedly said, according to IRNA account after the university official attacked the Israeli leader.. The Holy See has not issued any denial of these reported statements, but neither has it confirmed them.
The Iranian outlet quoted the Pope as adding that international organizations must address this issue urgently. "There is no one who has the right to trample on human rights and limit their freedom. But today there are those who want to enslave human beings and humanity to achieve their goals," the pontiff allegedly stated.
These reported comments follow recent tensions between the Holy See and Israel, ANSA notes. The Israeli government responded strongly when Pope Francis suggested verifying whether "a genocide" was occurring in Gaza, and after his Christmas messages expressed grief over "children machine-gunned in Gaza." The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a lengthy statement criticizing the Pope for what they termed "double standards."
Additional controversy arose over a keffiyeh placed in the Vatican's nativity scene in the Paul VI Hall. The traditional Palestinian headdress, part of a display created by Bethlehem artists, was later removed along with the baby Jesus figure and manger. When the Aula Nervi reopened after Christmas, the infant Jesus appeared on straw rather than the black and white cloth symbolizing Palestinian terrorists in many cases. The Vatican press office had previously explained that the keffiyeh was a last-minute addition by the Bethlehem artist.
