Pope Leo XIV ‘deeply saddened’ by Gaza church strike, calls for immediate ceasefire

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday expressed deep sorrow following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza's only Catholic church, killing two people, and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in the region.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reported that an Israeli military strike struck the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of two people. In response, the Israeli military stated it does “not target religious sites” and that the incident is under investigation.

A telegram issued by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, on behalf of the Pope, said:

“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, which did not directly name Israel, went on to say that Pope Leo “renews his call for an immediate ceasefire” and expressed hope for “dialogue, reconciliation, and enduring peace in the region.”

The Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic church, is home to a small community of Catholics — just 135 individuals, according to the Latin Patriarchate — among Gaza’s more than two million residents, most of whom are Muslim. The majority of Gaza’s Christian population are Orthodox.

The incident comes amid escalating violence in Gaza, where the civil defence agency has reported at least 20 more deaths from Israeli airstrikes in other parts of the territory.

Calls for a ceasefire and protection of civilian lives continue to grow amid the intensifying conflict.

SR