The Pope was able to speak by telephone with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, following yesterday's attack by the Israeli army. against the Holy Family Church of Gazawhich caused the death of three people and injured others, some seriously. This was reported by the Holy See Press Office in a communiqué.
In this conversation, according to the note, the Pope reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and the reactivation of a peace negotiation process for the area.
Leo XIV conveyed to the Israeli leader his concern for the humanitarian situation of the people of Gaza and stressed "the urgency of protecting places of worship and especially the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel".
Conversation with the Patriarch of Jerusalem
This conversation with the political authority was not the only one that the Pope has had in recent hours to learn about and show his willingness to help in the situation of the war that has been ravaging the Holy Land for more than a year.
The pontiff was able to converse with the Cardinal Pierbattista PizzaballaThe Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem shortly before he arrived at the attacked church.
The Cardinal went to the area of the attack together with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, "as part of an ecclesiastical delegation, expressing the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the Gaza community," as reported by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Cardinal Pizzaballa thus wanted to assess "personally the humanitarian and pastoral needs of the community, to help guide the Church's ongoing presence and response."
In addition, in the last few hours, and at the request of the Latin Patriarchateand in coordination with humanitarian partners, "ensured access for the delivery of essential assistance not only to the Christian community, but also to as many families as possible. This includes hundreds of tons of food supplies, as well as first aid kits and emergency medical equipment. In addition, the Patriarchate ensured the evacuation of those injured in the attack to medical institutions outside Gaza where they will receive medical care."
