Pope appeals for peace in phone call with Netanyahu

Source: Vatican Media

In the wake of the deadly Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza yesterday, Pope Leo XIV and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone today.

The Holy Father renewed his appeal for negotiations and a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Holy See Press Office.

"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," said the Press Office in a statement.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father repeated his appeal for a renewed push for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war."

It added, Pope Leo "again expressed his concern about the tragic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose children, elderly, and sick are paying an agonizing price."

The statement concluded: "the Holy Father reiterated the urgent need to protect places of worship and, especially, the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel."

The Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church in Gaza, was struck by Israel on Thursday morning, resulting in three deaths and 10 injuries, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.

In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem appealed to leaders "to raise their voices and to do all that is necessary in order to stop this tragedy, which is humanly and morally unjustified."

Israel National News (INN) reported that the Israeli President made the call to Pope Leo.

INN reported that Netenyahu said: "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.... Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites."

The catastrophic incident on Thursday was the fourth time the Holy Family church and parishioners have been hit by the IDF, since the war began.

On 12 November 2023, 84 year-old music teacher Elham Farah, was shot dead outside the church. On 9 December 2023, the parish buildings were hit by shrapnel which badly damaged water tanks and solar panels. On 16 December 2023 Nahida, and her daughter, Samar, were killed in the parish compound by snipers.