Overview
- On September 22, priests held a public prayer, march and vigil in Rome led by Father Alex Zanotelli and Father Fernando García Rodríguez, with reports counting roughly 50 to 100 clergy present.
- The newly formed 'Preti contro il genocidio' network says more than 1,200 priests from 34 countries have signed its appeal, joined by supportive bishops and one cardinal, including Cristobal Lopez Romero, Paolo Bizzeti, Domenico Mogavero and Raffaele Nogaro.
- The group condemns what it calls an ongoing genocide in Gaza and argues that prayer alone is insufficient, urging visible witness and stronger Church and political action.
- The Holy See has not used the term genocide for Gaza, with Pope Leone XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin stressing that any such determination requires study.
- Organizers said their online signature campaign was briefly blocked by Google before access was restored, and speakers pressed for concrete steps such as targeted boycotts and a firmer stance from Italian bishops.