Latin Patriach, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said he doubted that the Israeli attack on Holy Family Church was not deliberate…
By Catholics for Catholics | July 18, 2025
Pope Leo XIV is asking for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after an Israeli strike against the only Catholic Church in the country left three dead Thursday.
Via a signed papal telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, Pope Leo conveyed his “deep sadness” over the attack and offered his prayers for “the consolation of those who are mourning and for the healing of the wounded,” according to The National Catholic Register.
“Pope Leo renews his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace in the region,” the message stated.
In addition, the Supreme Pontiff commended the souls of the dead “to the loving mercy of Almighty God” and assured his “spiritual closeness” to all those affected.
“Only dialogue and reconciliation can ensure enduring peace!” posted Pope Leo on social media platform X.
On Thursday, John Yep, president of Catholics For Catholics, expressed forcefully in a statement about the incident:
“Americans awoke this morning to the shocking news that the State of Israel attacked one of the last Catholic Churches in Gaza killing 3 people. Even the parish priest himself along with dozens of others fell wounded from the barrage of steel that rained down without warning.”
He continued: “Every Christian in America should be outraged. Veterans of the 1967 USS Liberty attack by Israel would probably agree that the weak excuse from the IDF that this may have been a “mistake” does not pass the smell test. As a predominantly Christian nation, we at Catholics for Catholics ask fellow Christian and Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huccabee, to hold those responsible accountable as this isn’t the first time a Catholic Church has been targeted like this. Those who remain silent with this and the continued innocent shootings of the Gazan people standing in line waiting for food are complicit in this evil. We thank the Holy Father, Pope Leo for taking such a strong and immediate stance on this as he leads us in praying for peace in the region.”
The Register reported that the two casualties took place outside Holy Family Church when the attack hit. The place provides shelter for more than 500 people since the start of the war.
Two of the three victims were Fumayya Ayyad, 84, and parish caretaker Saad Salameh. Ayyad was sitting in a tent while Salameh, 60, was in the courtyard.
The explosions caused debris and shrapnel to fall in the sector.
“Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch, visited the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza this morning.
The Patriarchs visited those taking refuge in the Catholic and Orthodox churches in Gaza and nearby medical centers,… pic.twitter.com/9isNGKWLuN
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) July 18, 2025
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was dubious that the attack was not intentional.
“They say it was a mistake by an Israeli tank, but we don’t know; it hit the church … directly,” Cardinal Pizzaballa told Vatican News. Besides the two deaths, the explosion caused five injuries, including to the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who suffered a minor leg injury.
Pizzaballa conceded that it is still too early to completely gauge the consequences of the attack, but he insisted on the need to clarify what happened and protect the local community.
Cardinal Pizzaballa praying the Holy Rosary with some Catholic children in Holy Family Church today. pic.twitter.com/mZs86UHD1X
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) July 18, 2025
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