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Pope Leo XIV on Monday condemned “antisemitic violence” within the aftermath of the mass taking pictures in Sydney, Australia, wherein a father and son opened hearth on a crowd attending a Hanukkah celebration.
The pope prayed for the victims and the “present of peace and fraternity” this vacation season as he spoke throughout an viewers with the donors of the Vatican’s Christmas decorations.
“We pray for many who undergo from battle and violence, specifically right now I need to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist assault in Sydney towards the Jewish neighborhood,” the pontiff mentioned on Monday.
“Enough of those types of antisemitic violence!” he continued. “We should get rid of hatred from our hearts.”
Pope Leo XIV hugs a baby on the finish of an viewers with donors of the Christmas tree and nativity scene arrange in St. Peter’s Square, within the Paul VI Hall, on the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP)
Leo made related prayers in an official telegram of condolence despatched to the archbishop of Sydney, Most. Rev. Anthony Fisher.
The pope prayed “with renewed hope that these tempted to violence will endure conversion and search the trail of peace and solidarity,” in accordance with the telegram signed by the Vatican secretary of state.
At least 15 victims have been killed and dozens extra have been wounded within the bloodbath over the weekend on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the place a whole bunch had gathered for a “Chanukah by the Sea” occasion celebrating the start of the Jewish competition. One of the gunmen was shot and killed by police whereas the opposite was hospitalized with accidents.
A person recognized as Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one of many gunmen. He was shot however is recovering in a hospital.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced the taking pictures as an act of antisemitic terrorism and vowed to strengthen the nation’s already strict gun legal guidelines.
Pope Leo XIV shakes fingers with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Vatican City State on the finish of an viewers with donors of the Christmas tree and nativity scene arrange on the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP)
The assault was an “act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism,” Albanese mentioned.
Leo additionally issued a robust anti-abortion message throughout the viewers with the donors of the Vatican’s Christmas decorations, which he described as an indication of “religion and hope.”
The pope mentioned the evergreen fir timber donated by varied Italian areas “are an indication of life and recall the hope that isn’t missing even within the winter chilly.”
He mentioned one other signal of life was mirrored within the Nativity scene within the Vatican’s viewers corridor, which was donated by Costa Rica. It featured 28,000 ribbons representing embryos that weren’t aborted.
GAL GADOT, ASHTON KUTCHER CONDEMN ANTISEMITIC TERROR ATTACK AT BONDI BEACH HANUKKAH EVENT
Ribbons representing lives saved from abortion in accordance with Catholic teams are seen on Nacimiento Gaudium, a nativity scene set throughout an viewers led by Pope Leo XIV on the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP)
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“Each of those 28,000 coloured ribbons that adorn the scene symbolize a life saved from abortion because of the prayer and assist offered by Catholic organizations to many moms in want,” the pontiff mentioned.
Leo thanked the artist for the message affirming that “life is protected against conception.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
