Vatican Priest, Pope Leo XIV, has expressed deep sorrow following an Israeli military strike that hit Gaza’s only Catholic church, resulting in the deaths of two people.
The pontiff has once again called for an immediate ceasefire as the violence in the region escalates.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that the strike targeted the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, where two individuals lost their lives. The church is home to Gaza’s small Catholic community, a minority within the region’s Christian population.
Israeli authorities acknowledged the incident but stated that religious sites are not targeted deliberately. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the strike.
In a telegram sent on Thursday by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences for those affected. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza,” the message stated.
The Pope also renewed his plea for an end to hostilities, emphasizing the need for peace. “Leo renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region,” the telegram added. The statement notably avoided naming any party responsible for the attack.
Gaza’s Christian population comprises a small fraction of the more than two million residents in the enclave. While most are Orthodox, approximately 135 are Catholic, according to the Latin Patriarchate.
The strike on the Holy Family Church occurred alongside other deadly incidents reported across the Gaza Strip. According to the territory’s civil defence agency, at least 20 additional people were killed in separate Israeli attacks on Thursday.
