Pope Leo XIV has expressed his closeness to the Catholic community in Gaza following renewed Israeli airstrikes that killed civilians and left others wounded.
The pontiff sent a message to Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of Holy Family Church in Gaza, amid the continuing conflict and the latest attacks affecting residents of the territory.
Five Civilians Killed in Recent Strikes
The latest violence struck near the Rimal neighbourhood of western Gaza City on Oct. 3, when Israeli airstrikes killed five civilians and wounded many others.
Among those killed were Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter, Mary Hafez Michel Najjar, two Orthodox women whose deaths have since been mourned and whose bodies were buried.
Leo referred directly to the deaths in his message to the parish priest, expressing his prayers for the victims, their relatives and the wider Gaza community.
‘How Long, O Lord?’
The pope conveyed his grief over the continued loss of life and questioned how long the suffering would continue.
“How long, O Lord?” Leo wrote.
He said he had been praying since learning of the deaths of Maysa and Mary, including prayers for their families and everyone affected by the violence in Gaza.
Leo also thanked Father Romanelli for continuing to accompany the parish and those seeking peace despite the difficult circumstances.
Jerusalem Patriarch Voices Hope for Peace
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, also expressed solidarity with those affected by the latest attacks.
Pizzaballa renewed his hope that the hostilities would eventually come to an end, adding his voice to calls for an end to the violence and relief for those caught in the conflict.
The statements come as Gaza’s Christian community continues to endure the consequences of the wider Israel-Palestine war.
Holy Family Church Maintains a Special Place in the Vatican
Holy Family Church is the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip and has maintained a particularly close relationship with the Vatican in recent years.
Under Pope Francis, the parish became a regular point of contact as the former pontiff repeatedly communicated with Father Romanelli and expressed his concern for the people sheltering and living in Gaza.
That relationship continued for roughly 19 months before Francis died in April 2025.
Francis’ Final Call to the Gaza Priest
Romanelli recalled that Francis contacted him by telephone just two days before the pope’s death.
During the April 19 call, Francis told the priest that he was praying for the parish, blessed those at Holy Family Church and thanked them for their prayers for him.
The final exchange reflected the close relationship Francis had maintained with the Gaza parish during the war.
Calls for an End to the War
Romanelli has previously said that the parish hopes the appeals made by Pope Francis will not be ignored.
Among the requests were an end to the bombing, the release of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people suffering in Gaza.
The parish priest has also continued to emphasise the desire of the local Christian community to see the fighting end and peace restored.
Leo Continues the Vatican’s Gaza Outreach
Pope Leo’s latest message signals continued papal attention to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the situation facing Gaza’s Christian community.
By reaching out directly to Holy Family Church after the latest deaths, the pope has reaffirmed his solidarity with those affected while joining church leaders in calling for peace and an end to the ongoing suffering.
