Pope Francis has reportedly expressed fear that some Argentine friends were among the victims of the Hamas attack against Israel. This would have occurred in a phone call with the journalist and friend Henrique Cymerman on Saturday, October 14.
Although for Cymerman, it was more an expression of a general suspicion than something about which the Pope has direct knowledge, the Argentine newspaper La Nación published an article titled “War in the Middle East: Pope Francis fears that a friend of his is among the Argentine victims in Israel.”
During the almost four-minute call posted on Instagram, the Pope responded to the journalist’s claim that among the dead, injured, and kidnapped, there were many Argentines: “I know, I’m sure… There will certainly be some of my fellow countrymen out there.”
Cymerman indicated to La Nación that he believed the Holy Father’s words were just suspicion. However, he added: “I remember that he had told me on another occasion that he had a friend in one of the kibbutzim (ed.: Israeli agricultural villages) near Gaza, whom he had known since childhood.”
“I let it slip, but I’m afraid I have a friend who had something happen to him,” Cymerman said.
The journalist asked the Holy Father to receive the families of the Israeli and Argentine hostages, as this would be a “consolation.”
Pope Francis assured Cymerman that he is “willing” to meet with them.
According to La Nación, eight Argentines were killed in the terrorist attack, while another 19 are missing. Nine days after Hamas’s first onslaught, the death toll in Israel has exceeded 1,400, according to the BBC, while the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the conflict began is already more than 2,700.
In his message following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, October 15, Pope Francis asked the faithful to join in a day of fasting and prayer for peace in the Holy Land on Tuesday, October 17. He highlighted the need for a safe humanitarian corridor to help civilians in Gaza.
“Brothers and sisters, many have already died. Please, let no more innocent blood be shed, neither in the Holy Land nor in Ukraine nor any other place!” said the Holy Father.
(This article was translated by Jacob Stein)
