Catholic clergy march in Rome to demand end to Gaza and Lebanon conflict

Approximately 150 Catholic priests, bishops, and nuns from various countries marched through Rome on September 22, 2026, to demand an end to the conflict in Gaza and southern Lebanon. The protesters, organized under the “Priests Against Genocide” network, carried a white shroud bearing the handwritten names of 300 Palestinian and Lebanese children they claim were killed by military actions.

The procession moved from the area near St. Peter’s Basilica toward the Palestinian and Lebanese embassies before concluding at the Rome headquarters of the Italian defense manufacturer Leonardo SpA. Organizers called for renewed diplomacy, stronger civilian protections, and an end to arms sales that sustain the fighting. The network, which includes over 2,500 members across five continents, marked the one-year anniversary of its formation during the demonstration.

While Israel has denied accusations of genocide, stating it aims to avoid civilian harm and blames militants for operating in populated areas, the protesters emphasized the humanitarian toll. The marchers highlighted that the network's mission is to resist the “normalization and forgetting” of the ongoing violence.