#BreakingNews Pope Leo XIV Calls for an "Immediate Ceasefire" after Israel Hits Gaza's Catholic Church Leaving 3 Dead and Injuring the Priest

UPDATE The Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church in the Gaza Strip, was hit by a tank this morning, killing 3 people, and seriously injuring nine people. Others were reportedly wounded more lightly, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. Three people have since died from their injuries.
Pope Leo XIV has renewed his calls for “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza following a military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Parish.
Over 60,200 people (58,313 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis) have been reported killed in the Gaza war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, since 7 October 2023.
Pope Leo XIV sends a telegram of closeness to the people of the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza after an attack by Israeli troops in which two people were killed and several others seriously injured.
According to the Catholic press agency SIR, the Holy Family Church is currently hosting around 500 displaced Christians. 
In a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State on his behalf, the Holy Father expressed deep sorrow for the loss of life and for the injuries caused by the attack.
He also conveyed his spiritual closeness to the parish priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli—who was injured during the attack—as well as to the entire parish community.
The Pope commended the souls of the deceased to the “loving mercy of Almighty God” and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured and the consolation of those who grieve.

Finally, he renewed his appeal for peace and for a ceasefire, and expressed his "profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and enduring peace in the region.”

Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-07/the-parish-priest-father-gabriel-romanelli.html
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/pope-renews-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-following-attack-on-cath.html
https://lpj.org/en/news/lpj-statement-july-17th-2025

Comments