"If I was a Christian living in Lebanon - of whom there are many - I would applaud him for urging the military not to bomb civilian neighborhoods, such as my own. The pope has an obligation to his flock - even those living in Lebanon."
This could be a long reply but I'll try to sum up my opinion:
1) Israel is not bombing civilian neighborhoods, these are tactical strikes to cut off terrorist supplies and retrieve their hostage soldiers.
2) Israel has asked for peace for 20 years from terrorist organizations giving huge concessions and all they get is more terrorist crap.
3) Israel was invaded by Syria via Hezbollah where they killed soldiers and civilians. Not having a tough response emboldens such enemies. I could point out dozens of examples dating back to 1965.
Israel is God's chosen people. They are part of the flock and the Vatican should know this - Catholics are not the body of Christ, we all are. Israel will accept Christ as savior in the end-times.
If that's true, then nobody should have any problem with what the pope (or his spokesman) said - which was that they should not harm civilians.
The Jews were "chosen" to be the vessel through which the Messiah would come. Do you believe that Jesus is the Messiah? I do - and the pope does. Most Jews do not, so it's wrong to say that they are part of the pope's flock. I think Jews would take offense at your suggestion that they are part of the Christian flock.
"Israel is God's chosen people."
Christians are God's chosen people.