(NewsNation) — Actress and activist Patricia Heaton is calling on Pope Francis to “look up the definition of genocide” after he called for an investigation into Israel’s actions.
“Genocide is the intentional wiping out of an entire race or group of people,” Heaton said on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” “Israel is trying to find the hostages, release them, take out the Hamas leaders and end the war.”
The “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle” actress has been an outspoken advocate for Israel in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks.
She said it’s “time for every American, and in particular Christians, to stand up and make sure our representatives know they have to help Israel.”
“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” the pope said in excerpts published Sunday by the Italian daily “La Stampa.” “We should investigate carefully to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.”
The pope has repeatedly called for a cease-fire and more humanitarian aid in Gaza and for the hostages to be released.
The Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has triggered several legal cases at international courts in The Hague involving requests for arrest warrants as well as accusations and denials of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
In the new book, Francis also speaks about migration and the problem of integrating migrants into their host countries.
“Faced with this challenge, no country can be left alone and no one can think of addressing the issue in isolation through more restrictive and repressive laws, sometimes approved under the pressure of fear or in search of electoral advantages,” Francis said.
“On the contrary, just as we see that there is a globalization of indifference, we must respond with the globalization of charity and cooperation,” he added. Francis also mentioned the “still open wound of the war in Ukraine has led thousands of people to abandon their homes, especially during the first months of the conflict.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
