Pope speaks on Israel's bombing of Lebanon

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and Head of State of the Vatican, spoke about Israel's bombardments in Lebanon, stating that "any disproportionate defense is an immoral act."

The Pope returned to the Vatican today after completing his 4-day trip covering Luxembourg and Belgium, and made assessments to the journalists following the trip on the plane.

When asked by a journalist whether Israel had gone too far in Lebanon and Gaza, recalling reports that 900-kilogram bombs were used in the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, he replied, "When there is a disproportionate situation, a repressive tendency that goes beyond morality becomes evident. If a country, and I am talking about any country, does these kinds of things in a 'superior' way with its power, these are immoral acts."

Pope Francis noted that there is a morality that must be protected even in war.

The Pope also stated that he "speaks with the Catholic community in Gaza every day and that those there tell him about the persecution in Gaza."

COMMENT ON ABORTION

The spiritual leader of Catholics emphasized that there is no room for debate on abortion, stating that it is a murder, and commented, "A human being is killed. The doctors who help with this, allow me to use this word; they are hitmen. This is not debatable. Women have the right to protect life. Birth control methods are something else, that is a different issue. Do not confuse them. I am only talking about abortion now. And this is not debatable. I am sorry, but this is the truth."

Reminded that he met with victims who had been abused in the Catholic Church in Belgium, Pope Francis said that he listened to the abuse victims there and believed it was a duty.

Stating that they have a responsibility to help those who have been abused, the Pope said, "We must look at the people who have been abused and we must punish the abusers. This is a tendency; it is a psychiatric illness and therefore we must offer them treatment and monitor them. I told the Belgian bishops not to be afraid and to move forward. The real shame is covering it up; that is the real shame."

The Pope argued that there is also a unit within the Vatican regarding abuse cases and that it is functioning.