Pope Leo XIV reiterated a plea for peace in Gaza on Sunday, July 20, amid the Israel-Hamas war. Following his weekly Angeles address, the pontiff expressed sorrow over the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza on Thursday, July 17. According to the Vatican, three people were killed at the Holy Family Church.
Some 600 were reportedly taking shelter at the church. Several people were injured, including the parish’s priest.
On Sunday, the pope named the three victims: Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud. He told those in attendance he was close to their families and the parishioners.
“I renew my appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and to respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population,” Leo said.
He called the conflict “barbaric,” and said “this act adds to the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza.”
Early Sunday, the pontiff told reporters: “The world no longer tolerates war.”
On Friday, July 19, the Vatican released a statement following a conversation between Leo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“During the conversation,” it said, “the Holy Father repeated his appeal for a renewed push for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war.”
The Prime Minister’s Office also released a statement.
“Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church,” the statement said. “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.”
Leo wraps up his stay in Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday, July 22. The city serves as a summer retreat home for the pontiff.
