Catholic Clergy March in Rome to Protest Gaza War

On September 22, 2026, approximately 150 Catholic priests, nuns, and bishops—members of the 'Priests Against Genocide' network—marched in Rome to protest the ongoing war in Gaza. The demonstrators, who gathered near the Vatican, carried a shroud inscribed with the names of 300 Palestinian and Lebanese children they claim were killed by the Israeli military after ceasefires were declared. The marchers, who did not enter Vatican territory, also visited the Palestinian and Lebanese embassies before concluding their protest at the headquarters of the Italian defense manufacturer Leonardo SpA.

// Background

The 'Priests Against Genocide' network emerged in August 2025 amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began following the October 7, 2023, attacks. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 73,000 deaths. The Vatican has maintained a complex position; while Pope Francis previously called for an investigation into whether the war constitutes genocide, the current leadership has stopped short of officially adopting that terminology.

// Key Developments

• The 'Priests Against Genocide' network, founded in August 2025, now includes over 2,500 members, 27 bishops, and three cardinals.
• Participants carried a shroud bearing the names of 300 children allegedly killed by Israeli forces after ceasefires were declared.
• The march route included stops at the Palestinian and Lebanese embassies and the Rome headquarters of Leonardo SpA.
• The event saw a significantly higher turnout compared to the group's previous march in 2025.
• The protest was supported by prominent clergy, including Bishop Franco Moscone and Archbishop Giovanni Ricchiuti.