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Pope Leo XIV extended his condolences and prayers July 17 to the Catholic community in Gaza following a deadly military strike on the territory’s only Catholic church, the Church of the Holy Family.
The attack, which occurred on the morning of July 17, claimed three lives and injured several others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, CatholicVote reported.
Pope Leo XIV responded to the attack with a telegram to Holy Family Catholic Church and a message on social media, expressing sorrow for the lives lost and solidarity with the Catholic community in Gaza.
“I am 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 wrote on X. “I assure the parish community of my spiritual closeness. I commend the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and pray for their families and the injured.”
The pope once again called for an end to the violence in the region.
“I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire,” he continued. “Only dialogue and reconciliation can ensure enduring peace!”
>> Pope Leo: ‘Humanity cries out and calls for peace’ in the Middle East <<
In response to the destruction of the church, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement July 17.
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church,” he said. “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.”
Netanyahu thanked Pope Leo for his “words of comfort,” and added: “Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites.”
Earlier this year, Fr. Romanelli described their community’s relationship with the pope as one of deep closeness and support.
“We feel a very strong bond with the pope, first with Francis and now with Leo XIV, because through them we feel the closeness and solidarity of all people,” he said in a May 19 interview. “We are comforted by the appeals the pontiff has made on the first day in St. Peter’s, which he has reiterated several times.”
In one of his first public statements following his election, Pope Leo called for peace and a ceasefire in Gaza, appealing for the release of hostages, humanitarian access, and an end to violence.
Prior to Pope Leo’s election, Pope Francis had maintained close contact with the Gaza parish following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel war. The late pope called daily to offer support, even during his hospitalization, CatholicVote reported.
Fr. Romanelli said local Christians view the pope’s prayers as a form of protection.
“All this is an element of comfort,” he said, “because no world leader speaks of peace like him.”
Pope Leo’s message following the July 17 attack was consistent with earlier remarks in which he warned of the human cost of modern warfare in the Middle East and Ukraine.
“I reiterate to those in positions of responsibility the frequent warning of Pope Francis: War is always a defeat!” he said. “And that of Pope Pius XII: ‘Nothing is lost with peace. Everything may be lost with war.’”
>> Jerusalem patriarch joins Pope Leo XIV in call for peace in Gaza <<
This article was updated July 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET to include Israel’s response to Pope Leo XIV.
