For the Gaza study, researchers compared the official Palestinian Health Ministry death count, which in the first months of war was based entirely on bodies that arrived in hospit

Research published in The Lancet medical journal on Friday estimates that the death toll in Gaza during the first nine months of the Israel-Hamas war was around 40 percent higher than recorded by the Palestinian territory's health ministry.

In a yearly address to diplomats delivered on his behalf by an aide, Francis appeared to reference deaths caused by winter cold in Gaza, where there is almost no electricity.

Pope Francis condemned Israel's military campaign in Gaza on Thursday, calling the humanitarian crisis "very serious and shameful." "We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians," the pope said in an address delivered on his behalf by an aide.