Top Christian leaders from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches made a rare and dramatic visit to Gaza on Friday, arriving at the Holy Family Catholic Church just a day after an Israeli military strike killed three people sheltering inside the compound, including two women and a man. Ten others, including the parish priest, were wounded in the attack, which has drawn sharp international condemnation and reignited calls for a ceasefire in the besieged territory.
Patriarchs Stand With Gaza’s Christians Amid Tragedy
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, entered Gaza in the morning in a show of unity and pastoral support, despite Israel’s tight controls on access. Their visit aimed to “express the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land,” according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. They also brought in food and medical supplies for the embattled community, and ensured that those seriously injured in the attack would be allowed to leave for medical care outside Gaza.
Inside the church, the damage from the strike was evident shattered glass and blasted walls. The Holy Family Church has become a crucial shelter for Gaza’s dwindling Christian minority and others displaced by months of relentless conflict. At the time of the attack, both Christians and Muslims, including children with disabilities, were taking refuge inside the church compound.
Israel Acknowledges Mistake, Promises Investigation
The Israeli government expressed “deep regret” over the strike, attributing it to errant munitions and vowing a full investigation. A spokesperson stressed Israel’s commitment to safeguarding civilians and places of worship and emphasized that the church was not deliberately targeted. However, the incident follows previous attacks on religious sites and has intensified scrutiny of Israel’s tactics in densely-populated Gaza.
Pope Leo XIV issued a message of sorrow for the victims, calling once again for an immediate ceasefire and praying for comfort for the bereaved and healing for the wounded. “There is no justification for targeting innocent civilians,” read a Vatican statement.
Global and Local Outcry as Church Community Mourns
World and religious leaders have condemned the strike and rallied behind Gaza’s Christians, a community now numbering just a few hundred after waves of displacement. The Latin Patriarchate denounced the targeting of “innocent civilians and a sacred site,” and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting those left behind.
Funerals for the victims drew mourners from across Gaza’s Christian community, who voiced outrage and deep sorrow at the attack while urging the international community to intervene and secure protection for civilians amidst the ongoing hostilities.
Humanitarian Emergency Deepens
The church leaders’ visit brought much-needed international attention to Gaza’s spiraling humanitarian crisis. Bringing medical aid and food supplies, the visiting delegation emphasized that the Christian community and all civilians should not be abandoned. They pledged to continue supporting Gaza and called on both local and global actors to pursue peace over violence.
As investigations continue and the Christian leaders return to Jerusalem, the battered Holy Family Church stands as both sanctuary and symbol: a testament to the suffering of Gaza’s people and the enduring hope for peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Holy Land.
