Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned an Israeli military strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, describing the attack as part of a “continuous assault on civilians and places of worship.”
Speaking after the Sunday Angelus prayer at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope expressed “deep sorrow” over the deaths of three civilians and injuries to several others, including parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli.
The victims—Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud—were among the 600 Gazans sheltering at the parish when it was struck on Thursday morning.
“This is one more episode in the unrelenting military attacks on Gaza’s civilian population and religious sanctuaries.”
Pope Leo issued an urgent call for “an immediate halt to the barbarity of war,” urging the international community to uphold humanitarian law and protect civilians.
He condemned collective punishment, forced displacement, and indiscriminate force.
Addressing Middle Eastern Christian communities, the Pope acknowledged their sense of helplessness amid the escalating conflict. “You are in the heart of the Pope and of the whole Church,” he said. “Thank you for your witness of faith.”
Earlier on Friday, the Pope held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, he reiterated the Vatican’s call for a ceasefire and protection of sacred sites.
“We insisted on the need to respect people and holy places of all faiths,” he said. “We must move beyond hatred and violence.”
Pope Leo later told reporters, “The world can’t take it any more. There is too much conflict, too many wars. We must pray and convince all parties to choose dialogue over destruction.”
