From an Italian church destroyed by Nazis, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi led a solemn roll call of more than 12,000 Palestinian and 16 Israeli children lost to war.
Seven hours of names. That’s not politics, that’s liturgy. Every syllable breaking the spell of statistics, dragging the dead back into memory where they belong. While leaders argue about maps and missiles, a cardinal stood in ruins where Nazis once burned villages and simply said the children’s names. That is the sermon war never wants preached.
Saying their names...a fitting tribute offered by Cardinal Zuppi to make visible the dead children. Sadly the killing continues in Gaza. Bombs and starvation prevail. Children starved to skin and bone die slowly one by one. God grant us the grace to offer prayers for an immediate end to this nightmare.
I have an elderly friend who was a child in Liverpool during the war. The day the bombing started in Gaza, we were out on our weekly walk. He said quietly, "People don't realize that the children never forget who bombed them." His town was bombed for two years. I will share this with him tomorrow. Pope Leo truly is a man of God.
Wowza! I just love this Pope! What a perfect way to honor the dead children and give meaning to the utter lack of proportionality. When you see those numbers (12000 v 16…and of course even one is too many), you can’t help but conclude that Netanyahu is a war criminal.
Thank you for this article. It's so sad what's happening around the world. The reading of the children's names is a wake up call to those that still may be asleep. It's also a way to honor these innocent little humans who didn't deserve this. I admire this bishop and Pope Leo.
The United States government is directly funding and giving arms to Netanyahu for his war, and Trump is supporting Putin’s war against Ukraine— given the outsize financial and political influence the U.S. has in these wars, and in general, I would guess that’s the reason for focusing on them. The civil war in Sudan is horrific but has (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong) a lot less U.S. involvement.
As a gesture to bringing us together, perhaps he could read the name of everyone Bishop Hudel smuggled out of Europe to South America after WW2 ended in 1945.
Seven hours of names. That’s not politics, that’s liturgy. Every syllable breaking the spell of statistics, dragging the dead back into memory where they belong. While leaders argue about maps and missiles, a cardinal stood in ruins where Nazis once burned villages and simply said the children’s names. That is the sermon war never wants preached.
Profound leadership!
Saying their names...a fitting tribute offered by Cardinal Zuppi to make visible the dead children. Sadly the killing continues in Gaza. Bombs and starvation prevail. Children starved to skin and bone die slowly one by one. God grant us the grace to offer prayers for an immediate end to this nightmare.
I have an elderly friend who was a child in Liverpool during the war. The day the bombing started in Gaza, we were out on our weekly walk. He said quietly, "People don't realize that the children never forget who bombed them." His town was bombed for two years. I will share this with him tomorrow. Pope Leo truly is a man of God.
This was profound. It made a statement that children are being killed in a needless war. I love Pope Leo because he is adamant about peace.
Wowza! I just love this Pope! What a perfect way to honor the dead children and give meaning to the utter lack of proportionality. When you see those numbers (12000 v 16…and of course even one is too many), you can’t help but conclude that Netanyahu is a war criminal.
What a beautiful tribute to these precious children. 😪❣️
Thank you for this article. It's so sad what's happening around the world. The reading of the children's names is a wake up call to those that still may be asleep. It's also a way to honor these innocent little humans who didn't deserve this. I admire this bishop and Pope Leo.
And the Sudanese?
The United States government is directly funding and giving arms to Netanyahu for his war, and Trump is supporting Putin’s war against Ukraine— given the outsize financial and political influence the U.S. has in these wars, and in general, I would guess that’s the reason for focusing on them. The civil war in Sudan is horrific but has (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong) a lot less U.S. involvement.
The Sudanese children, and the Ukrainian children.
Impressive and so sad, I Israel listend
💔💔💔
As a gesture to bringing us together, perhaps he could read the name of everyone Bishop Hudel smuggled out of Europe to South America after WW2 ended in 1945.