Pope Leo calls for immediate ceasefire after attack on Gaza Catholic church kills 3

['Carol Glatz - Catholic News Service', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] News - America Magazine 2025-07-17 00:00:00

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After an early morning attack on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire, dialogue and peace in the region. With Israeli tanks shelling multiple targets in Gaza, witnesses claimed the strike July 17 came from Israeli artillery shells. It is the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip. Among those hurt was the parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, an Argentine of Italian descent whom Pope Francis would call regularly. ‘Only death and destruction’Speaking to Vatican News July 12, Father Romanelli said almost everyone in the area beyond the church compound had left.