Netanyahu calls Pope after Gaza church bombing

By CathNews New Zealand

July 22nd, 2025

Damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza after it was hit in an attack on July 17, 2025 (CNS photo/courtesy Aid to the Church in Need, UK)

After the only Catholic church in Gaza was bombed last week, Pope Leo XIV urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to revive negotiations and enact a ceasefire. Source: Catholic News Service.

Mr Netanyahu called Pope Leo on July 18, the day after the Israeli army struck the compound of Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip. At least three people were killed and 10 more, including parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli, were injured from the shelling and falling debris.

“During the conversation, the Holy Father renewed his call for renewed momentum for negotiation efforts and for a ceasefire and an end to the war,” the Vatican press office said.

“He again expressed his concern for the tragic humanitarian situation of the people in Gaza, a heartbreaking price being paid especially by children, the elderly and the sick. Finally, the Holy Father reiterated the urgency of protecting places of worship and especially the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel.”

The Pope had earlier called for an immediate ceasefire, dialogue and peace in the region in a telegram on July 16.

About 600 men, women and children had been sheltering at the church, including about 50 people with disabilities and ill children cared for by the Missionaries of Charity, when the early morning raid hit the site. The Israel Defence Forces subsequently apologised for the strike, stating that “fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly”.

Pope Leo also called Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, on July 18, telling him, “It is time to stop this slaughter”, Vatican News reported.

Cardinal Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem were leading a delegation into Gaza to bring hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid into the enclave. As they were crossing the border, Pope Leo telephoned the cardinal to “express his closeness, love, prayer, support and desire to do everything possible for there to be not only a ceasefire but also an end to this tragedy”, the cardinal told Vatican News.

“Pope Leo said repeatedly that it is time to stop this slaughter, and that what has happened is unjustifiable, and that we must ensure there are no more victims,” he said.

The Vatican press office said the Pope also told the cardinal that he intends to do “everything possible to stop the needless slaughter of innocents”.

FULL STORY

Israeli PM calls pope, who urged the leader to start negotiations, ceasefire (By Carol Glatz/CNS)

Jerusalem bishop shares distress over conditions in Gaza after accidental Israeli strike (CNA)