Two people were killed and several others injured, including the parish priest, after an Israeli strike hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza City on Thursday morning, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The attack marked the second time the enclave's only Catholic church has been struck since the start of Israel's military campaign against Hamas.
Pope Leo XIV expressed he was "deeply saddened" by the strike, according to a telegram released by the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. "In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured," Parolin said.
The patriarchate identified the deceased as Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh and Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad. "We pray for the rest of their souls and for the end of this barbaric war. Nothing can justify the targeting of innocent civilians," the patriarchate said.
The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged awareness of the incident, stating, "The (IDF) makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them," adding that "the circumstances of the incident are under review."
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, told Vatican News that the church was struck "directly" by a tank shell. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the church's priest and a personal confidant of the late Pope Francis, was among those wounded.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strike, stating, "The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude."
Images verified by CNN showed extensive damage to the church, which has served as a refuge for nearly 600 Christians in Gaza. Despite the destruction, the crucifix atop the church's roof remained intact.
The Holy Family Church had previously been the site of a deadly incident in December 2023, when two women sheltering inside were shot and killed by an Israeli sniper, according to the patriarchate.
Ceasefire negotiations, backed by the U.S., have gained urgency amid the latest violence. Talks have focused on the possible withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Morag Corridor, a strategic zone in southern Gaza established in April. Sources told CNN that Israel may now show "some flexibility" on that issue to help secure a 60-day truce.
Since the war began with Hamas' October 7, 2023, cross-border assault that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken, Israeli retaliation has left more than 58,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. That toll includes women and children, though the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths. The United Nations recognizes the ministry's figures as the most consistent casualty data available.
