ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis suggested Sunday that Israel's attacks in Gaza and Lebanon have been “immoral” and disproportionate, saying its military domination has gone beyond the rules of war.
Francis was asked en route home from Belgium about Israel’s targeted killing of one of Hezbollah’s founding members, Hassan Nasrallah. Friday's strike in Beirut targeted an area greater than a city block and reduced several residential buildings to rubble, and at least six other deaths have been confirmed.
Francis didn’t mention Israel by name and said he was speaking in general terms. But he said that “the defense must always be proportionate to the attack.”
“When there is something disproportionate, there is a dominating tendency that goes beyond morality,” he said. “A country that does these things — and I’m talking about any country — in a superlative way, these are immoral actions.”
He said that even if war itself is immoral, there are rules that “indicate some morality.”
“But when you don’t do this … you see the bad blood of these things,” he said.
The death of Nasrallah has sent shockwaves throughout Lebanon and the Middle East, where he has been a dominant political and military figure for more than three decades.
U.S. President Joe Biden said the Israeli strike was a “measure of justice” for victims of Hezbollah’s “reign of terror.”
Francis has tried to strike a balance in his comments on the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the conflicts in Gaza and southern Lebanon that have ensued. He has called for an immediate cease-fire, for the release of hostages taken by Hamas and for humanitarian aid to get to Gaza.
Francis repeated that he calls the Catholic parish in Gaza every day to see how they are doing.
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Pope Francis talks to journalists on the flight back to Rome at the end of his four-day visit to Belgium and Luxembourg, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)
BRISTOL, England (AP) — England set Australia a total of 310 runs to win their deciding fifth match of the one-day international series on Sunday.
Ben Duckett hit 107 in 91 balls and captain Harry Brook contributed a 52-ball 72 with seven sixes in England's 309 all out in 49.2 overs after losing the toss and having to bat first at Bristol.
The series was tied 2-2 heading into the match after England routed the Australians in a 186-run loss in the fourth ODI at Lord’s on Friday.
England was on course for a huge total but Brook holing out to Adam Zampa after hitting him for five sixes sparked a collapse from 202-2 in the 25th over.
Duckett was one of four wickets to fall to Travis Head, the fifth spinner Australia used, on a wearing pitch. Head took 4-28 in 6.2 overs.
The forecast is for heavy rain later Sunday, which could lead to a second washout in 12 months at this ground. Australia need to bat 20 overs to decide who wins the series 3-2.
Australia is the world champion in the 50-over format, but has lost two in a row against England after seeing a 14-game winning streak snapped.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Australia's Josh Inglis in action during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Phil Salt in action during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Phil Salt leaves the field after being dismissed by Australia's Aaron Hardie during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Australia's Aaron Hardie, left, celebrates taking the wicket of England's Will Jacks during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Harry Brook hits a four during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Australia look at a review of a wicket during the fifth one day international match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Australia's Josh Inglis, right, celebrates taking the wicket of England's Liam Livingstone during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Ben Duckett in action during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Harry Brook in action during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Ben Duckett in action during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Australia's Josh Inglis celebrates stumping the wicket of England's Jacob Bethell during the fifth one day international match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
England's Harry Brook in action during the fifth one day international match between England and Australia, at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
