Catholic clergy march to Vatican to protest Gaza conflict

Approximately 150 Catholic priests, friars, nuns, and a bishop marched to the Vatican to demand an end to the conflict in Gaza, which they characterized as a “genocide.” The protesters, part of the “Priests Against Genocide” network, carried a banner listing the names of 300 children killed during the war in Gaza and southern Lebanon.

Accompanied by an Italian police escort, the group prayed in front of St. Peter’s Basilica before proceeding to the Palestinian and Lebanese embassies. The march concluded at the Rome headquarters of the Italian defense manufacturer Leonardo SpA. Organizers noted that this year's turnout was significantly larger than the previous year's demonstration.

The “Priests Against Genocide” network, established in August 2025, reportedly includes over 2,500 clergy members across five continents. While some United Nations-commissioned experts have suggested the war in Gaza amounts to genocide, Israel has vehemently denied these accusations, stating it aims to avoid civilian harm and blaming casualties on Hamas operations in densely populated areas.