Leão 14 criticized military bombing against civilians and places of worship and asked for “end of barbarism” in the region
O asked this Sunday (20.Jul.2025) the “Immediate end” of the war in the Gaza Strip and criticized “The indiscriminate use of force” in the region.
“I ask once again the immediate end of the barbarism of the war and a peaceful resolution of the conflict”The pontiff said at the end of a prayer ceremony at the Castel Gandolfo Palace, a papal summer residence near Rome.
During his sermon, Leo 14 mentioned the The only Catholic Church of Gaza, who left 3 dead and 9 injured on Thursday (17.Jul).
“Unfortunately, this act [o ataque à igreja] adds to the continuous military attacks on civilians and places of worship in Gaza ”declared after reading the names of the victims.
The Pontiff also appealed to the international community. He requested “Respect for humanitarian law”, compliance with the “obligation to protect civilians” and the “prohibition of collective punishments, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of populations”..
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Pope Leo calls for an end to ‘barbarity’ in Gaza.
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews)
Church attack
A war tank hit the Holy Family Complex during a religious activity on Thursday, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Gabriel Romanelli, the church’s Argentine parish priest, was one of the injured in the attack. Romanelli kept regular contact with Pope Francis, who in April 2025. The 2 used to talk about the conflict in Gaza.
Still on Thursday, the Israeli government stated that one of its ammunition hit the scene by mistake. “Israel deeply regrets that lost ammunition has hit the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza. Every lost innocent life is a tragedy. We share the pain of families and the faithful.”said Prime Minister’s office, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement.
In response to the incident, Pope Leo 14 released a telegram. Said he was “Deeply saddened” and asked “an immediate ceasefire.”
The Pontiff expressed his “Deep hope for dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace in the region”according to the document signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
