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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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Pope Leo XIV mourned on Thursday after an attack that hit the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, where two people were reported killed and several injured by an apparent Israeli strike.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the incident was "under review", that the forces try to avoid harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regret any damage.
Newsweek contacted the IDF and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem for further information.
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"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," a statement by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, read, adding: "His Holiness renews his call for an immediate ceasefire."
The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem said the parish pope was injured.
Why It Matters
The Holy Family Church, Gaza's only Catholic church, is the same parish that the late Pope Francis frequently contacted during his papacy. Video footage often showed him speaking to the church's children and parishioners via live link, offering prayers and encouragement during past escalations in Gaza.
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What To Know
The church hosted clergy and hundreds of sheltering Palestinians including children, amid the war in Gaza. Eyewitnesses reported that the church seemed to have been struck by Israeli tank fire, according to media reports.
An 84-year-old woman and the parish's 60-year-old janitor were killed in the strike while the parish priest, Father Romanelli, was lightly injured, the Associated Press reported.
Dozens of Palestinians were killed Thursday in several Israeli strikes on Gaza. Israel's military campaign to eliminate Hamas and bring home Israeli hostages, launched after the group's deadly October 2023 attack on Israel, has devastated Gaza, leaving the enclave grappling with severe hunger and widespread deprivation.
What People Are Saying
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Facebook: "The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. here are several injuries in the place including the Parish Priest Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. Currently there no fatalities confirmed. The Church sustained damage."
Israel Defense Forces on X: "The IDF is aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are 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."
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State: "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, and he assures the parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, and the whole parish community of his spiritual closeness. In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured. His Holiness renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region."
What Happens Next
Mediators including the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are still pursuing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Neither side appears ready to give way on core demands.
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