Pope Leo XIV has issued a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following a devastating military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Parish
Newsroom (17/07/2025, Gaudium Press )Pope Leo XIV has issued a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following a devastating military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Parish, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip. The assault, which occurred on the morning of July 17, 2025, left two people dead and several others injured, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.
In a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, on behalf of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life and injuries caused by the attack. The pontiff conveyed his spiritual solidarity with Fr. Romanelli and the entire parish community, commending the souls of the deceased to the “loving mercy of Almighty God” and offering prayers for the recovery of the injured and the consolation of those grieving.
The Pope reiterated his appeal for peace, urging an immediate ceasefire and expressing “his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and enduring peace in the region.”
The attack on the Holy Family Church involved a tank strike, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed was accidental, though doubts persist. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News, “What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this, hit the Church directly.” He reported that four individuals were seriously wounded, with two in critical condition, and others, including Fr. Romanelli, sustained less severe injuries. Communication challenges in Gaza have hindered efforts to gather complete details about the incident.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has claimed over 60,200 lives, including 58,313 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis. The attack on the Holy Family Church marks a significant escalation in the targeting of civilian and religious infrastructure, drawing international concern.
The Vatican’s call for peace underscores the urgent need for dialogue to end the violence that continues to devastate the region.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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