Pope Leo XIV Urges Immediate Ceasefire After Israeli Strike On Gaza’s Only Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV has issued a heartfelt plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following a devastating Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church, the only Catholic church in the region, which killed three people and injured several others, including the parish priest. The attack, which occurred on 17 July 2025, has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed calls for peace in the war-torn enclave.
The Holy Family Church in Gaza City, a sanctuary for hundreds of displaced Palestinians, was struck by what the Israeli military described as “stray ammunition” during operations in the area. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the parish, reported that the attack claimed the lives of Saad Salameh, the 60-year-old parish caretaker, Fumayya Ayyad, an 84-year-old woman receiving psychosocial support, and Najwa Abu Daoud, aged 69. The parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, sustained minor injuries but continues to support the community. The church compound, sheltering around 600 people, including many Christians and Muslims, was significantly damaged.
In a telegram issued through the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life and injuries. He stated, “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. I assure Father Gabriel Romanelli and the entire parish community of my spiritual closeness.” The pontiff called for an immediate ceasefire, urging dialogue and reconciliation to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The strike has sparked outrage among global leaders and humanitarian organisations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack, describing Israel’s actions against civilians as “unacceptable” and asserting that no military operation could justify such violence. The Latin Patriarchate strongly denounced the targeting of a sacred site and innocent civilians, noting that the tragedy is part of a broader pattern of suffering in Gaza, where over 58,500 people have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The Holy Family Church has been a beacon of hope for Gaza’s small Christian community, numbering around 1,000, most of whom are Greek Orthodox. The late Pope Francis, who died in April 2025, maintained close contact with the parish, calling Father Romanelli almost daily to offer support and blessings during the war. The church has served as a refuge for displaced families, including those with disabilities, and has been a focal point for humanitarian efforts by organisations like Caritas Jerusalem.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret, stating, “Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.” The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are investigating the incident, with initial reports suggesting fragments from a shell fired during operations accidentally struck the church. The IDF reiterated its commitment to protecting civilian and religious sites, though local sources, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, questioned whether the strike was truly accidental.
The attack marks the second time the Holy Family Church has been hit since the war began, following a December 2023 incident where an Israeli sniper killed two women in the church compound. The nearby Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius was also bombed in October 2023, killing 17 people. These repeated strikes on religious sites have intensified calls for international intervention to protect civilians and sacred spaces.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, has made peace a cornerstone of his papacy since his election in May 2025. His call for a ceasefire echoes the advocacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged an end to the conflict. The pontiff’s appeal comes as ceasefire talks in Doha continue, with Israel showing potential flexibility on withdrawing troops from parts of Gaza, though significant challenges remain in securing a lasting truce.
The Catholic Church, alongside humanitarian groups like Caritas, has urged the international community to act swiftly to protect Gaza’s civilians and ensure access to aid. With the region facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, the destruction of the Holy Family Church underscores the urgent need for peace and reconciliation to end the suffering of Gaza’s people.