Pope Leo XIV on Sunday issued a stark denunciation of the ongoing war in Gaza, describing the violence as “barbarity” and urging an immediate end to hostilities. His remarks came days after an Israeli strike hit the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City, killing at least three Palestinian Christians and injuring several others, including the parish priest.

Pope Leo XIV

Holy Family Church

“The moral cost of this war is mounting by the day,” the Pope said during his Sunday address at St. Peter’s Square. “We must stop this spiral of suffering. Places of worship must be protected, civilians must be safeguarded, and peace must be pursued before irreparable damage is done.”

Pope Leo XIV

St. Peter’s Square

The Holy Family Church, Gaza’s only Catholic parish, was struck on July 17 during an Israeli military operation. According to church officials and local reports, the compound sustained significant damage when a tank shell hit a building that housed Christian families who had taken refuge there. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that at least three people were killed and a number of others wounded, including the church’s Argentinian-born priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.

Holy Family Church

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged the incident and said it was under investigation. The military’s statement suggested the damage may have resulted from misdirected fire during clashes with militant groups in the area. “We do not target places of worship,” the IDF said, adding that all findings would be made public once the inquiry was complete.

Israeli Defense Forces

On the same day as the strike, the Pope expressed his grief over the deaths and called for an immediate ceasefire. “I pray for the victims and their families. It is imperative that this cycle of violence come to an end, and that a sincere dialogue opens the path to peace,” he said during his July 17 address.

Pope Leo XIV

In the days following the attack, diplomatic efforts appeared to intensify behind the scenes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with the Pope, reportedly on July 18 or 19, to express regret over the incident. According to a readout provided by Vatican officials, Netanyahu referred to the strike as the result of “stray ammunition” and conveyed sorrow over the loss of civilian life.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Pope Leo XIV

Vatican

“Every innocent life lost is a tragedy,” Netanyahu told the Pontiff, according to sources familiar with the conversation. The Pope, for his part, reiterated his concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasized the importance of respecting religious sites and communities amid conflict.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, later commented on the exchange, noting that while diplomatic outreach was welcome, “Words must be followed by deeds. The people of Gaza, both Christians and Muslims, deserve to live without fear.”

Vatican Secretary of State

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

By Sunday, Pope Leo’s tone had hardened. In addition to describing the war as “barbarity,” he condemned what he called the “indiscriminate use of force” and called for renewed efforts by all parties to negotiate a resolution that respects human dignity and international law.

Pope Leo XIV

Human dignity

International law