Pope Leo XIV, on Thursday, expressed sadness over the loss of lives and injury caused by the Israeli military attack on the only catholic church in Gaza.
Pope Leo said this in a telegram broadcast sent by the Vatican’s secretary of state in his name.
“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 Gazar. Leo renews his calls for an immediate ceasefire,” the Vatican secretary wrote.
The attack reportedly killed two people and injured several others, including the parish priest, who used to receive daily calls from the late Pope Francis.
It added that two persons were killed as a result of an apparent strike by the Israeli army that hit the Holy Family compound this morning.
A statement by the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said, “The Israeli raids on Gaza have also hit the Holy Family church. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such behaviour.”
According to Dr Fadel Naim, the acting director of al-Ahli Arab hospital, which received the wounded, the church was sheltering Christians and Muslims, including a number of children with disabilities.
Naim said that at least two people were in a critical condition, and among the others injured were a child with disabilities, two women and an elderly person.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in a statement confirmed the reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene, noting that the circumstances of the incident were under review.
“The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them,” the statement added.
