Image Credentials: Image Title: Pope Demands Ceasefire After Apparent Israeli Strike Hits Gaza’s Only Catholic Church Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies – July 16, 2025
Vatican City / Gaza City — Pope Leo XIV issued an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict after an apparent Israeli airstrike struck Gaza’s only Catholic church, killing at least two civilians and injuring several others. The strike targeted the Holy Family Catholic Church, a sanctuary for dozens of displaced Palestinian Christians amid the ongoing war.
In a message of sorrow and solidarity, the Pope conveyed his condolences through a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
“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 Catholic Church in Gaza,” Parolin wrote. “He assures the parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, and the whole parish community of his spiritual closeness.”
The Pope’s message emphasized the urgency of halting hostilities. “He renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region,” the telegram continued.
Pope Leo XIV has called for an “immediate ceasefire” after Israel struck the only Catholic church in Gaza, killing 2 people and injuring several others.
Pope Francis’ friend, Father Gabriel Romanelli, is among the wounded.
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Striking a Sanctuary
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the casualties, stating that Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, sustained light injuries. In a statement condemning the incident, the Patriarchate said:
“The people in the Holy Family Compound are people who found in the Church a sanctuary, hoping that the horrors of war might at least spare their lives, after their homes, possessions, and dignity had already been stripped away.”
The statement continued: “On behalf of the entire Church of the Holy Land, we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and from here, we offer our prayers for the swift and full recovery of the wounded.”
The Patriarchate described the attack as a “targeting of innocent civilians and a sacred place” and “strongly condemned” the strike.
Israel Responds
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged awareness of the incident and said it is under investigation.
“The IDF does not target religious institutions and takes many precautions to avoid harm to civilians or holy sites,” said Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, IDF International Spokesperson, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We remain committed to safeguarding the freedom of religion for people of all faiths.”
Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein expressed “deep sorrow” over the damage and loss of life, adding: “Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site and uninvolved civilians.”
International Reaction
The strike has drawn swift condemnation abroad, including from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who criticized Israel’s military campaign in unusually sharp terms.
“Israeli raids on Gaza also hit the Church of the Holy Family. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude,” Meloni said in a statement.
Meloni, a close Western ally of Israel, is one of the first major European leaders to denounce the campaign so directly, signaling rising frustration in international circles over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza.
Church Under Siege
The Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza has served not only as a spiritual center but as a refuge during the war, sheltering dozens of families displaced by airstrikes and destruction. With most Christians in Gaza belonging to the Orthodox or Catholic denominations, the church has long been a symbol of a small but resilient religious minority.
This is not the first time a religious institution has been damaged in the conflict, but the apparent direct hit on Gaza’s only Catholic church has triggered outrage among religious leaders, aid groups, and human rights organizations.
The Vatican’s renewed call for peace is part of a growing chorus urging both sides to end the violence. As the conflict drags on with no sign of resolution, many fear incidents like this will deepen already intractable divisions and further endanger Gaza’s shrinking Christian population.