In a comprehensive press conference held on his plane returning from Asia, the Pope condemned the continuation of war in Gaza and refusing to accept the justification for the death of children. The Pope also praised King Abdullah describing him as a “man of peace. King Abudllah is a good man,” the pope said.

Asked about the death of humanitarian workers in Gaza, the pope slammed the continuation of the war and the absence of a ceasefire. “War is always a defeat, always, without exception. And we must not forget that. This is why everything done for peace is important. And I want to say something, this may be a bit of me getting involved in politics: I am very, very grateful to the King of Jordan. He is a man of peace. King Abdullah is a good man.”

The head of the Catholic church told reporters that he is daily calling the head of the Catholic parish in Gaza and inquiring about the situation of 600 Christians and Muslims taking refugee in the churches of Gaza.

Below is the full text of the question and answer regarding Gaza:

Question: There is a risk the Gaza conflict will spill over into the West Bank. There was an explosion a few hours ago that killed 18 people, including some UN workers. What are your feelings at this moment, and what would you say to the warring parties? Is there the possibility that the Holy See could mediate to achieve a ceasefire and the long-for peace?

Answer by the Pope: The Holy See is working on it. Let me tell you something: I call Gaza daily; there’s a parish there, and within its school are 600 people—Christians and Muslims—living as brothers and sisters. They tell me horrible stories, difficult things.

I can’t say whether this war is excessively bloody, but when you see the bodies of children killed, when you hear that schools are bombed because guerrillas might be inside, it’s horrifying. It’s horrible, it’s horrible.

It’s sometimes said that this is a defensive war, but sometimes I believe that it’s a war… too much, too much. I apologize for saying this, but I don’t see steps being taken toward peace.

For example, in Verona, I had a very beautiful experience. A Jewish man, whose wife had died in a bombing, and a man from Gaza, whose daughter had died, both spoke about peace, embraced each other, and gave a testimony of fraternity. I will say this: fraternity is more important than killing one another. Fraternity, shaking hands. In the end, whoever wins the war will find a great defeat. War is always a defeat, always, without exception. And we must not forget that. This is why everything done for peace is important. And I want to say something, this may be a bit of me getting involved in politics: I am very, very grateful to the King of Jordan. He is a man of peace. King Abdullah is a good man.

The full transcripts of the press conference can be read here