The incident, which occurred last Thursday, resulted in the death of three Gazatis and left several injured, including the pastor, Father Gabriel Romanelli, in a temple that housed some 600 people.
Pope Leo XIV, the highest authority of the Catholic Church, expressed his “deep pain” and launched an energetic called for the “immediate cessation of barbarism” in the Gaza Stripafter an Israeli attack that hit the parish of the Sagrada Familia. The incident, which occurred last Thursday, resulted in the death of three Gazatis and left several injured, including the pastor, Father Gabriel Romanelli, in a temple that housed some 600 people.
At the end of the angelus prayer this Sunday since his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff referred to the attack with dismay, naming the victims: Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Fouumia Issa Latif Ayyad and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daud. The high pontiff said they are “close to them already their families” in this moment of deep regret.
In his speech, the Dad He stressed the seriousness of the event, stating that “this act, unfortunately, adds to the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and the places of worship in Gaza.” With blunt words, the leader of the Catholic Church reiterated his clamor for peace in the region. “I ask once again to immediately stop the barbarism of the war and that a peaceful resolution of the conflict is achieved“said Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV demanded the “immediate cessation of barbarism” in the Gaza Strip
Likewise, the Pope urged the international community to respect humanitarian law and to fulfill their duty to protect the civilian population, emphatically rejecting collective punishment, indiscriminate use of strength and forced displacement of people.
Prior to concluding his message, the Pontiff directed a few words of comfort to the Christian communities of the Middle East, recognizing his feeling of helplessness in the dramatic situation. “To our beloved Christians from the Middle East I tell you: I understand your feeling that they can do little about this dramatic situation. They are in the heart of the Pope and the whole Church. Thanks for your testimony of faith“He said.
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Hours before, while returning from celebrating Mass in the nearby town of Albano, Pope Leo XIV talked briefly with journalists. In that exchange, he highlighted the urgency of praying for peace and persuading all parties involved to dialogue and depose weapons. “The world no longer supports war, “he warned, emphasizing that” there are too many conflicts, too many wars“
Asked about his Friday telephone conversation with Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Leo XIV confirmed to have insisted on the need to renew efforts to put an end to the conflict. He also expressed concern about the “heartbreaking price” that civilians are paying in Gaza. “We insist on the need to protect the sacred places of all religions“said Pope León, “And respecting people and sacred places and trying to leave all violence and hate behind“
Source: Ambito
