TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Leo XIV held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a military strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza.
According to statements from the Holy See Press Office and reports by Vatican News and ABC News, the Pope urged Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure the protection of places of worship in the Palestinian territories.
“This morning, in his residence at Castel Gandolfo, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, following yesterday’s military attack by the Israeli army that struck the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, killing three people and injuring others, including some seriously,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement on Friday.
During the call, Pope Leo reiterated his appeal for renewed negotiations and an immediate ceasefire. He also voiced deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The statement emphasized the Pope’s distress over what it described as "the tragic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose children, elderly, and sick are paying an agonizing price."
The Holy Father also underlined the urgent need to safeguard religious sites and to protect the faithful and civilian populations in both Palestine and Israel.
On Thursday, the Holy Family Church (Gaza’s only Catholic church and a shelter for around 500 displaced Christians) was hit by an Israeli strike. The attack reportedly killed three people and injured at least ten others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. Since the start of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Father Gabriel had reportedly received daily phone calls from Pope Francis until his final moments.
On the same day, Pope Leo XIV issued condolences to the victims of the attack and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire.
In a statement on Thursday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office expressed regret over the strike, claiming it was caused by “misfired ammunition.”
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful,” the statement said.
“Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites,” it added.
On Friday morning, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Catholic Church’s top representative in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Cyprus, arrived in war-torn Gaza. He was part of a church delegation visiting the area in the wake of the attack.
“During their stay, the delegation will meet with members of the local Christian community, offer condolences and solidarity, and stand alongside those affected by the recent events,” the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a press release.
Cardinal Pizzaballa is also expected to personally assess the community’s humanitarian and pastoral needs to help guide the Church’s ongoing response.
Coordinating with humanitarian partners, the parish has secured access to deliver essential aid to Gaza’s Christian community and as many families as possible.
“This includes hundreds of tons of food supplies as well as first aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment,” the Patriarchate said.
"In addition, the Patriarchate ensured the evacuation of individuals injured in the attack to medical institutions outside Gaza where they will receive care.”
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