Pope Leo XIV, in his first major address since ascending to the papacy on May 1, 2025, expressed deep sorrow on July 17 over a recent Israeli strike on a Gaza church, urging an immediate ceasefire.
The attack, reported on July 15, damaged the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, killing two parishioners and injuring 10, according to local Christian leaders. Speaking from St. Peter’s Square, the 68-year-old pontiff condemned the violence, calling it a “desecration of sacred spaces” amid the nine-month Israel-Hamas conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives per Gaza health authorities.
Leo XIV’s plea extends to global powers, including the U.S. and EU, to broker peace, echoing his May 11 call for resolutions in Ukraine and India-Pakistan. The strike, which Israel claims targeted a Hamas site, has drawn international outrage, with the Vatican dispatching aid and a fact-finding mission.
Local priest Father Gabriel Roman reported parishioners sheltering in the church, amplifying the humanitarian crisis. Analysts see the pope’s stance as a test of his diplomatic influence, with some praising his boldness and others questioning its impact on a conflict marked by stalled talks, though his words resonate with Christian communities worldwide.