杏MAP导航

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Amid the ongoing turmoil in the Holy Land, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Friday.

The Holy Father renewed his appeal for negotiations and a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Holy See Press Office.

"This morning, in his residence at Castel Gandolfo, His Holiness 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV spoke by telephone with His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, following yesterday鈥檚 military attack by the Israeli army that struck the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, killing three people and injuring others, including some seriously," said the Press Office in a statement.

"During the conversation," it noted, "the Holy Father repeated his appeal for a renewed push for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war."

Moreover, it added, 杏MAP导航 Leo "again expressed his concern about the tragic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose children, elderly, and sick are paying an agonizing price."

"Finally," the statement concluded, "the Holy Father reiterated the urgent need to protect places of worship and, especially, the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel."

The Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church in Gaza, was struck by Israel on Thursday morning, resulting in three deaths and 10 injuries, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.

In a statement, the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem appealed to leaders "to raise their voices and to do all that is necessary in order to stop this tragedy, which is humanly and morally unjustified."