Pope calls Gaza airstrikes 'cruelty' after Israeli minister's criticism

Balazs Barabas

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Saturday (21 Dec) again condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, a day after an Israeli government minister publicly denounced the pontiff for suggesting that the global community should study whether the military offensive there constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people. Francis opened his annual Christmas address to the Catholic cardinals who lead the Vatican's various departments with what appeared to be a reference to Israeli airstrikes on Friday that