The Israeli airstrike, which struck residential buildings in Qatar’s capital Doha, has heightened regional tensions.
Newsroom (10/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV described Israel’s recent bombing of Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leaders, as a “very serious situation,” expressing deep concern over escalating violence in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists outside his residence at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, where he spent Monday afternoon and part of Tuesday, the pontiff called for fervent prayer and persistent efforts toward peace.
“We don’t know where things are headed,” Pope Leo said, pausing briefly at the gate as onlookers applauded. “The whole situation is truly serious. We must pray a lot and keep working, searching, insisting on peace.”
The Israeli airstrike, which struck residential buildings in Qatar’s capital, has heightened regional tensions. The attack comes amid Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, where an evacuation order for Gaza City has sparked widespread panic. Residents, already reeling from nearly two years of conflict that has claimed over 64,500 lives, including tens of thousands of women and children, face a dire humanitarian crisis with no safe refuge. Many have been directed to Al-Mawasi, a designated “humanitarian zone” along Gaza’s coast, where thousands are already sheltering in overcrowded tent encampments under relentless bombardment.
Gaza’s Plight: No Safe Haven
The evacuation order, issued ahead of an anticipated Israeli military escalation, has left Gaza City’s residents in despair. Once home to a million people, the city has been devastated since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023, following a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel’s campaign, which it says aims to dismantle Hamas’s remaining strongholds, has destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving civilians with nowhere to flee. At a tent camp for displaced cancer patients, residents report feeling trapped, with no safe place to escape the violence.
Pope Leo expressed concern for Gaza’s Christian community, noting his unsuccessful attempt to contact Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of Holy Family Church in Gaza City. “I tried to call the parish priest just now; I have no news,” the Pope said. “They were certainly okay before, but after this new order, I’m not sure.”
Thwarted Ceasefire Hopes
The Doha attack threatens to derail fragile ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending the nearly two-year war. Mediation efforts, which had raised hopes for a pause in hostilities, now face new obstacles as Israel presses its offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Hamas must be defeated, citing the group’s refusal to disarm. Hamas, in turn, demands an independent Palestinian state and a comprehensive agreement to end the war before releasing all hostages.
Israel defends its actions as self-defense, pointing to the October 2023 Hamas attack. However, the scale of civilian casualties and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza have drawn widespread condemnation. Observers warn that an expanded assault on Gaza City could endanger countless more lives, further complicating prospects for peace.
A Call for Prayer and Action
As Pope Leo returned to the Vatican, his somber words underscored the gravity of the crisis. His call for prayer and persistent peace efforts reflects the Vatican’s longstanding advocacy for dialogue and reconciliation in the region. Yet, with mediation faltering and violence surging, the path to peace remains uncertain.
The international community now watches closely as the Middle East teeters on the brink of further escalation, with the Pope’s plea for peace echoing amid the chaos.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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