Catholic clergy march toward Vatican demanding end to Gaza war

Around 150 Catholic priests, friars, a bishop and nuns from across the world marched towards the Vatican on Tuesday, praying near St. Peter's Basilica and calling for an end to what they described as a "genocide" in Gaza.

Escorted by Italian police, the participants marched along the main boulevard leading to the Vatican but did not enter Vatican territory. After praying near St. Peter's, they continued to demonstrations at the Palestinian and Lebanese embassies and the Rome headquarters of Italian defence manufacturer Leonardo SpA, reports the Associated Press.

Organisers said turnout was significantly larger than at the group's march the previous year.

The demonstrators carried a banner and shroud bearing the names of 300 Palestinian and Lebanese children who organisers said were killed by the Israeli military after ceasefires had been declared.

The protest was organised by "Priests Against Genocide", a network established in August 2025 that now includes more than 2,500 priests and bishops across five continents. Among those taking part was Bishop Franco Moscone of Manfredonia, Italy.

The demonstration follows statements by several experts, including experts commissioned by a UN body, that Israel's military campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide. Pope Francis had previously called for an official investigation to determine whether genocide had occurred.

Israel rejects accusations of genocide, saying its military operations seek to avoid civilian harm and accusing Hamas of putting civilians at risk by operating in densely populated areas.

Israel launched its campaign after Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023, that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. According to Gaza health officials, more than 73,000 Palestinians have died in the war, with women and children accounting for nearly half of the fatalities.