Pope Leo XIV has condemned the “barbarity” of the ongoing war in Gaza and criticised the “indiscriminate use of force”, following a recent Israeli military strike on a Catholic church that left civilians dead.
Speaking after the Angelus prayer at Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence near Rome, the Pope renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
“I once again ask for an immediate end to the barbarity of the war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” he said.
The pontiff expressed “deep sorrow” over Thursday’s airstrike on the Holy Family Church, where around 600 displaced civilians, including children and people with special needs, had sought refuge.
He revealed that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone the morning after the attack.
“This act, unfortunately, adds to the ongoing military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza,” Pope Leo stated.
He urged the international community to uphold humanitarian law and reminded them of their legal and moral obligations: “I appeal… to respect the obligation to protect civilians, the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations.”
Israel’s military expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and said an investigation was underway.
The Israeli army also issued new evacuation orders on Sunday for parts of central Gaza, warning of imminent operations against Hamas targets. The war, now in its 22nd month, has displaced the majority of Gaza’s two million residents, many of them multiple times.
The Pope also voiced concern for Christians in the region, saying he shared in their “helplessness” amid the deepening crisis.
