Pope Leo XIV condemns deadly strike on Gaza church

Pope Leo XIV expressed sorrow on Thursday over an 'Israeli' strike that hit Gaza’s only Catholic church, killing two people, and renewed his plea for an immediate end to the violence.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, home to a small Catholic community, was struck during 'Israeli' military operations.

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza,” read a telegram sent by the Vatican’s secretary of state on behalf of the pope.

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The message emphasized the pope “renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region.” The statement notably avoided directly naming 'Israel'.

'Israel', responding to the incident, said it “never targets” religious sites and confirmed it was investigating the strike.

The church, which shelters part of Gaza’s small Christian community, serves around 135 Catholics out of roughly 1,000 Christians in the enclave of more than two million people. Most Christians in Gaza belong to the Orthodox tradition.

The deaths at the church compound occurred as Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 20 additional fatalities in other 'Israeli' strikes across the territory.