Vatican city: Pope Leon XIV on Sunday called for an immediate halt to the "barbarity" of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, condemning the indiscriminate military attacks targeting civilians and places of worship, demanding that the international community bear its responsibilities in stopping the ongoing violations.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, at the conclusion of the Angelus prayer, the Pope expressed his 'deep sorrow' regarding the Israeli shelling of the sole Catholic church in Gaza on Thursday, which killed three civilians at a time when the church was sheltering approximately 600 displaced people, the majority of whom were children and individuals with special needs.
The Pope reiterated his call for an immediate end to the conflict and urged for a peaceful resolution. He emphasized that the attack on the church adds to a series of repeated incidents targeting civilians and places of worship in Gaza.
Pope Leon XIV appealed to the international community to uphold humanitarian law, urging respect for the protection of civilians and the prohibition of collective punishment, indiscriminate force, and forced displacement.
In a message directed to Christians in the Middle East, the Pope expressed his feelings of helplessness in the face of the tragic situation and assured them that they are always in his heart and prayers.
His statements come amidst ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, marked by severe humanitarian deterioration, increasing casualties, and repeated attacks on civilian and religious sites, as well as shelters for the displaced.
