Pope Leo XIV has voiced his profound sadness following an Israeli military strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals seeking refuge within the church’s confines. In a telegram, the Pope expressed his deep sorrow at the loss of life and injuries inflicted by this military action.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the Holy Family Church, confirmed that the site was targeted by the Israeli army. Alongside the fatalities, nine others sustained injuries, with one individual reported to be in critical condition. The parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, also suffered minor injuries.
Impact on the Christian community in Gaza
In light of the ongoing conflict, many families from Gaza’s small Christian community had sought shelter in the church after their homes were destroyed. The severity of the situation has been underscored by the fact that the church had been a refuge for these displaced families since the outbreak of war. A video and images shared revealed significant damage to the church, with the roof struck near the cross and windows shattered.
Father Gabriele Romanelli was seen checking on the wounded at Al-Ahli hospital, visibly shaken but committed to assisting those affected. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, disclosed that the incident involved a tank shell, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed was fired by mistake. He emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of the strike.
Reactions and calls for accountability
Caritas Jerusalem reported that the shell struck the church roof, scattering shrapnel and debris across the yard. The charity detailed the harrowing experiences of those injured, including two elderly women who were severely wounded. Tragically, three young individuals at the entrance of the church were also critically injured.
“Three individuals lost their lives as a result of the injuries sustained and nine others were wounded, including one in critical condition and two in serious condition,”
the Latin Patriarchate announced. Among the deceased were Saad Salameh, the parish janitor at 60 years old, and 84-year-old Fumayya Ayyad.
In response to the devastation, the Vatican’s secretary of state conveyed the Pope’s condolences and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for an immediate ceasefire. The message expressed hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace in the region.
The Israeli foreign ministry expressed sorrow regarding the damage to the church and any civilian casualties. They confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway, with the results expected to be disclosed transparently.
On the international front, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that President Donald Trump had communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the incident, acknowledging it as a mistake. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack, asserting that no military action can justify such aggression against civilians.
Additionally, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem denounced the strike as a grave violation of human dignity and the sanctity of religious sites, which are intended to provide safety in times of conflict. Caritas Jerusalem estimated that approximately 600 displaced individuals, including many children and 54 persons with special needs, were sheltering in the church at the time of the strike.
Father Romanelli had previously urged individuals to remain indoors due to the presence of Israeli tanks nearby and ongoing air strikes. A staff member at Caritas noted, “If Father Gabriel hadn’t warned us to stay indoors, we could have lost 50 to 60 people today. It would have been a massacre.”
Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of more than 58,500 individuals in Gaza since the onset of this conflict, with the Hamas-run health ministry cited as a credible source for casualty statistics.