UN Secretary-General António Guterres has voiced a strong condemnation of the Israeli military strike on Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, which occurred on July 17, resulting in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to others, including the parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. The attack has been described by the Secretary-General as “unacceptable” and he has reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

The Holy Family Church, the sole Catholic parish in Gaza, had been providing refuge to numerous displaced people due to the ongoing war. According to witnesses, the destruction was caused by a tank shell hitting the church compound, leading to considerable damage and upheaval. Father Romanelli, who was lightly wounded, had been a key adviser to the late Pope Francis and had been in regular contact with him about the situation in Gaza.

Stephanie Tremblay, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stressed the dual role of the church not only as a place of worship but also as a sanctuary for civilians. She emphasized that such places and those seeking shelter in them "must be respected and protected, not targeted by military actions."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret over the incident during a conversation with Pope Leo XIV, labeling the event a “tragic accident.” The Israeli military has stated that the church was hit by stray munitions and has initiated an internal investigation. They reiterated that their military operations are targeted at Hamas militants, though civilian casualties have been a frequent and tragic consequence in the densely populated areas of Gaza.

Pope Leo XIV has called for peace negotiations and a ceasefire, expressing his deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian condition in Gaza. He highlighted the critical need to safeguard all places of worship and civilians in both Palestine and Israel.

In a demonstration of ecclesiastical solidarity, high-ranking church leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, visited the damaged church to provide support and oversee the distribution of aid such as food and medical supplies.

The incident has drawn attention to the legal protections afforded to places of worship under international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which categorize the intentional targeting of religious buildings as a war crime if they are not being used for military purposes.

While Pope Leo XIV has opted for a more measured diplomatic tone, refraining from terms like “genocide” or “war crimes,” his focus remains firm on advocating for immediate humanitarian aid and maintaining dialogue with all parties involved. This approach appears to be an effort to keep diplomatic channels open amidst increasing international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in the region.