Pope Leo XIV has expressed profound sorrow and renewed his urgent call for an immediate ceasefire after an Israeli strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church killed three people and wounded several others, including the parish priest. The incident has sent a chilling wave of distress through the Vatican and drawn global condemnation, highlighting the devastating toll of the ongoing conflict on civilians and sacred sites.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the tragic deaths, identifying the victims as Najwa Abu Daoud, Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, and Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad. They were among hundreds of displaced Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims, who had sought refuge within the church compound, believing it to be a sanctuary from the relentless violence engulfing the Gaza Strip.
In a telegram of condolences for the victims, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV conveyed that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza.” He assured the wounded parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, and the entire parish community of his “spiritual closeness” and reiterated his “profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region.”
Father Romanelli, an Argentinian priest, who was reportedly lightly injured in the attack, had maintained regular contact with the late Pope Francis, providing updates on the dire situation in Gaza. This personal connection further underscores the Vatican’s deep concern for the well-being of the Christian community in the besieged territory.
According to the Latin Patriarchate, an Israeli tank shell directly struck the church compound on Thursday morning. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News, “What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this, they hit the Church directly, the Church of the Holy Family, the Latin Church.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they were “aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under review.” They added that the IDF “makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them.” In a rare move, the Israeli Foreign Ministry also posted an apology on social media, expressing “deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty.”
However, the church’s statement firmly condemned the “targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place,” emphasizing that the compound was a place of shelter for vulnerable individuals, including children with disabilities. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also voiced strong disapproval, stating, “The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.”
The incident serves as a stark and tragic reminder of the immense human cost of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where even places of worship, traditionally considered safe havens, are not immune from the devastating consequences of warfare. As international calls for a ceasefire grow louder, the Pope’s heartfelt plea for peace resonates amidst the rubble, underscoring the urgent need for an end to the suffering in the Holy Land.