Appeal for ceasefire: Pope, Israeli PM speak by phone after strike on Gaza Catholic church

VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV emphasised the importance of protecting places of worship in a call on July 18 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israel’s deadly strike on Gaza’s only Catholic Church, the Vatican said.

The pontiff also renewed his appeal for negotiations, a ceasefire and the end of the war, while reiterating his concern for the “dramatic humanitarian situation” in the Palestinian territory, it said in a statement.

The Vatican said Mr Netanyahu initiated the call early on July 18, the day after Israeli fire on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City killed three people and provoked international condemnation.

“During the conversation, the Holy Father renewed his appeal to revive negotiations and reach a ceasefire and the end of the war,” the Vatican said in a statement, noting that Pope Leo was at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

“He once again expressed his concern for the

dramatic humanitarian situation

of the population in Gaza, whose heartbreaking toll is borne particularly by children, the elderly and the sick,” it added.

“Finally, the Holy Father reiterated the urgency of protecting places of worship and especially the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel.”

Mr Netanyahu has said Israel “deeply regrets” the strike, and blamed a “stray round”.

He repeated this regret in the conversation with the Pope, which was “friendly”, a spokesman for Mr Netanyahu said, adding that the two men agreed to meet soon. AFP