India
Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep concern over the deadly Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church, during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the call, initiated by Netanyahu, came just a day after the incident in Gaza City, which resulted in the deaths of three civilians and sparked international outrage.
In the official Vatican statement, the pope strongly emphasized the urgent need to protect religious sites and ensure the safety of all civilians, particularly in regions affected by conflict. The pontiff, who spoke from his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, renewed his call for peace negotiations, an immediate ceasefire, and a lasting end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
“His Holiness once again expressed his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose heartbreaking toll is borne particularly by children, the elderly and the sick,” the statement read.
The airstrike that struck the Holy Family Church is one of the most serious incidents involving religious institutions since the war began. The attack drew sharp criticism from Catholic leaders worldwide, many of whom had been calling for increased protection for non-combatants and places of worship.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, during the call, reiterated his regret over the church bombing, calling it the result of a “stray round.” According to his office, the discussion was “friendly,” and both leaders expressed willingness to meet in the near future.
The Vatican concluded its statement by stating that Pope Leo XIV stressed the urgent need to uphold human dignity and religious freedom during armed conflict. He reiterated the importance of protecting not just holy sites but also the faithful and all civilians in both Palestine and Israel.
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