Pope Leo XIV says that he is “deeply sad” after three people were killed in what the Vatican described as a “military attack” in the only Catholic Church of Gaza.
In a telegram from the Vatican on Thursday, the Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said: “To praise the souls of the deceased to the love mercy of the Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the comfort of those who cry and for the recovery of the injured.”
The strike arrived at the Sagrada Familia church in the city of East Gaza on Thursday morning, according to the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem, which supervises Latin Catholics in the region.
The Church has served as a refuge for the small Christian population of Gaza during the war.
The Israel Defense Forces (FDI) said it was “aware of the reports on the damage caused to the Church of the Sagrada Familia in the city of Gaza and the victims in the scene,” and added: “The circumstances of the incident are under review.”
He continued: “IDF make each effort feasible to mitigate damage to civilians and civil structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage that has been caused.”
The three victims were appointed by the patriarchy such as Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Fouumia Issa Latif Ayyad and Najwa Abu Dawood. Several others were injured.
The Church's statement said: “We pray for the rest of its souls and by the end of this Barbara War. Nothing can justify the orientation of innocent civilians.”
Pope Leo XIV also used the time to renew his call to a high immediate fire in Gaza.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News that the Church was hit “directly” by a tank on Thursday morning.
The parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentine who has served in Gaza for almost 30 years, was among the injured.
CNN images show visible damage to the building, although the crucifix on the church ceiling remained intact.
This is not the first time that the Church is attacked during the Israel-Famas War.
In December 2023, the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem said that two women who took refuge inside were killed and killed by an Israeli military sniper.
The Church of the Holy Family is known internationally for its connection with the late Pope Francis, who regularly called the parish during the conflict.
Before the war began on October 7, the Christian population of Gaza had only around 1,000 people, living in a territory that is overwhelmingly Muslim.
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