Religious Leaders’ React to Strike on Gaza's Catholic Church
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Pope Leo XIV on Friday and expressed his deep regret about the accidental bombing of Holy Family Church, Gaza's only Catholic Church. "Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful," Netanyahu said in a statement picked up by The Hill. Netanyahu also made a point of expressing gratitude to the Pope for his "words of comfort," and reaffirmed that Israel "remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites."
IDF's Statement
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement that indicated it was "aware of reports regarding damage" to the church and that an investigation was being conducted.
"The IDF does not target religious institutions and takes many precautions to avoid harm to civilians or holy sites. We remain committed to safeguarding the freedom of religion for people of all faiths," IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani wrote in a post on X picked up by Fox News.
The IDF does not target religious institutions and takes many precaution to avoid harm to civilians or holy sites.
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) July 17, 2025
We remain committed to safeguarding the freedom of religion for people of all faiths.
Three were killed in the bombing and 10 were injured. Among the wounded was the church's priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. The church had become a place of shelter for hundreds of Christians, Muslims, and disabled Children. Romanelli's injuries have been reported as minor leg injuries, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
Pope Leo XIV's Reaction
According to the Catholic News Agency, when the Pope spoke with Netanyahu, he became very insistent that it was time for a ceasefire and that he felt the peace process needed to be reinstated with a focus on ending the war.
In a statement picked up by the Vatican News, the Pope "again expressed his concern about the tragic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose children, elderly, and sick are paying an agonizing price."
The statement also noted that, "the Holy Father reiterated the urgent need to protect places of worship and, especially, the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel."
Pope Leo expressed deep sorrow after an Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza killed three people. He called for an end to the 'barbarity of war' as he spoke of his profound pain https://t.co/u0NeiPAY4T pic.twitter.com/4s44KtUcYt
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 21, 2025
Religious Leaders Entreated to Speak Out, Some Provide Humanitarian Aid
The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem also released a statement picked up by the Vatican News in which it was calling on all leaders, "to raise their voices and to do all that is necessary in order to stop this tragedy, which is humanly and morally unjustified."
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the decimated area to show their support. They also brought food and medical supplies with them since the area is in a humanitarian crisis, according to CNN.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/OMAR AL-QATTAA/Contributor
Originally published July 21, 2025.
