Pope Francis clarified that the remarks attributed to him in excerpts from an upcoming book that “Israel should be investigated for genocide in Gaza” were taken out of context. Speaking at a meeting with an interfaith delegation at the Vatican on Monday, he said: “I did not claim that Israel committed genocide. I was shown materials from the war, and I said that if this is true, then it needs to be investigated. I understand what is happening in Gaza. I think Hamas should no longer exist in the world, but the war should also not be prolonged.” The meeting included Rabbi Yosef Garmon, formerly the Chief Rabbi of Guatemala and currently head of “The Humanitarian Coalition,” which promotes humanitarian programs in Latin America. Rabbi Garmon, a tank commander in the 9026 Battalion who participated in fighting in Gaza and the north, addressed the Pope, who was born and raised in Argentina before becoming the leader of the Catholic world: “You cannot say that Israel must be investigated for genocide.