Israel's Netanyahu called Pope Leo after Gaza church strike, Vatican says

Published July 18, 2025 9:25pm

The flag of Vatican City flies as the damage is seen at the Holy Family Church which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Khamis Al-Rifi

ROME, Italy - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday, the Vatican said, a day after an Israeli strike on Gaza's sole Catholic church killed three people and injured several more.

During the call, the pope renewed his appeal for a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza, and expressed his concern over the "dramatic" humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, a Vatican statement said.

Leo also stressed the urgent need to protect places of worship, the faithful, and all people in the Palestinian territories and Israel, the statement added. — Reuters

Tags: vatican city, Pope Leo, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza City