The Vatican's Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has condemned the current actions of the Israeli armed forces in the Gaza Strip as disproportionate and described them as a "bloodbath".
Following a meeting with top representatives of the Italian government, Parolin said on Tuesday evening in Rome, according to "Vatican News": "There is a general judgement that things cannot go on like this and that other ways must be found."
The Pope's chief diplomat emphasised that the Holy See had wholeheartedly condemned what happened on 7 October from the outset.
This also includes the condemnation of all forms of anti-Semitism.
At the same time, he demanded that Israel's right to self-defence, which had been invoked for the operation in the Gaza Strip, must be proportionate.
"With 30,000 dead, it is certainly not," said Parolin. He continued: "I think we are all horrified by what is happening, by this bloodbath, but we must have the courage not to give up and not to lose hope."
Parolin made his remarks after a ceremony at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See, which was attended on the Italian side by President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
The occasion was the signing of the Concordat between Italy and the Holy See 40 years ago.