Critical 600 Displaced in Gaza Church Attack: Pope Leo XIV Condemns Violence and Calls for Ceasefire
Pope Leo XIV condemnation of Gaza violence 20/7/2025
July 20, 2025 Hour: 12:35 pm
Pope Leo XIV condemns collective punishment and calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Vatican denounces Israeli attack on Catholic Church and urges humanitarian action amid worsening crisis.
Related: Meet Pope Leo XIV: Former Cardinal Prevost’s Path to Papacy
Geopolitical Context Behind: Pope Leo XIV Condemns Violence and Calls for Ceasefire
The Pope Leo XIV condemnation of Gaza violence comes at a time of intensified international scrutiny over the collective punishment of Palestinians and the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure. On Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Pope delivered a powerful Sunday address from Castel Gandolfo, urging an immediate end to the violence and calling for urgent humanitarian intervention.
The Pope specifically denounced the recent Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church, which had been sheltering approximately 600 displaced individuals, mostly children and people with disabilities. The attack reportedly left three dead, several injured, and extensive damage to the religious and humanitarian site.
🔗 Vatican News – Official Papal Statement
Pope Leo XIV Denounces Collective Punishment in Gaza
In a Sunday message from Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV condemned the ongoing collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population, urging the international community to halt the violence and uphold humanitarian law.
“Once again, I call for an immediate end to this barbaric war and a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the Pope said. His words echoed the growing global concern over the systematic targeting of civilians, with hundreds of thousands displaced and over 59,000 reported dead since October 2023.
The Pope emphasized that no justification exists for indiscriminate violence, and that international institutions must act to protect innocent lives.
🔗 United Nations OCHA – Gaza Emergency Reports
Condemnation of Gaza Catholic Church Attack
The Pope expressed deep shock over the Israeli attack on Gaza’s Holy Family Church, the only Catholic place of worship in the enclave, which was serving as a shelter for displaced civilians, including children and the disabled.
According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the attack left three dead, injured several others, and caused severe damage to the historic site. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, released a statement reaffirming the Holy See’s position: “Nothing justifies the targeting of civilians. We call for an immediate ceasefire.”
The Pope also spoke directly with Reverend Gabriele Romanelli, the parish priest and one of the injured in the attack, expressing his spiritual closeness and solidarity with the affected community.
Vatican Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Vatican’s call for an immediate ceasefire, condemning what he described as an “organized crime of starvation” against the civilian population in Gaza.
He urged the international community to intervene and allow unrestricted humanitarian access, stressing that the blockade imposed by Israel has led to a collapse of essential services, including healthcare, water supply, and food distribution.
“The forced displacement and collective punishment of civilians must end,” the Pope said, reiterating that no moral or legal justification exists for such actions under international humanitarian law.
Interfaith Solidarity and Church Visits to Gaza
In a symbolic act of interfaith unity, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III recently visited Gaza to express solidarity with the affected population and assess the humanitarian situation.
During the visit, Pizzaballa condemned the targeting of religious and civilian spaces, and called for greater international pressure to stop the violence and restore dignity to the Palestinian people.
“Our presence here is a sign of closeness and moral support,” he said in a statement to Vatican News, adding that the Church remains committed to aid and protection of the vulnerable.
🔗 Vatican News – Interfaith Visit to Gaza
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions
The Pope Leo XIV condemnation of Gaza violence has been echoed by human rights organizations and global leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who called the church attack “unacceptable.” The United Nations and international agencies have also reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded aid access.
The Israeli Embassy to the Holy See responded to the Pope’s statement, calling it a “distortion” and reiterating that military actions are legitimate acts of self-defense against perceived threats.
However, the Vatican has consistently rejected such justification, insisting that international law must be upheld and civilians protected.
Conclusion: A Moral Call for Peace and Protection
Pope Leo XIV’s condemnation of Gaza violence and his call for an immediate ceasefire mark a continuation of the Vatican’s moral leadership in global conflicts. His message, delivered from Castel Gandolfo, is a plea for humanity, justice, and the protection of civilians in a region where war and famine have become intertwined.
As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens, the Pope’s words serve as a reminder that peace must be pursued with urgency, and that no nation is beyond moral and legal accountability.
Author: JMVR
Source: Al Madayeen