Pope urges immediate end to 'barbarity' of Gaza war after church damaged

[Eugene]

Source: Times of Israel

Pope urges immediate end to ‘barbarity’ of Gaza war after church damaged

Leo XIV’s condemnation of ‘indiscriminate use of force’ comes days after IDF tank fire damaged Holy Family Church, which Israel says was accidental

By Agencies and ToI Staff
20 July 2025, 4:01 pm

urged against the “indiscriminate use of force,” days after the Strip’s only Catholic church was damaged by the Israel Defense Forces, which has said it was accidental.

“I once again ask for an immediate end to the barbarity of the war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” Leo said at the end of the Angelus prayer at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence near Rome.

The pope spoke of his “deep sorrow” for the attack that hit the Holy Family Church on Thursday.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-urges-immediate-end-to-barbarity-of-gaza-war-after-church-damaged/

[Dave Bowman]

1. Accidental, yeah sure, whatever.

[oberle]

2. Hrmph

He only cares because a Catholic Church was hit.

[c-rational]

3. My thought.

[AloeVera]

5. Appears so. How long has he been Pope?

Disappointing.

[Newark65]

6. Leo became pope on May 8.

He has called for a ceasefire in Gaza on May 11, May 18, May 28, June 26.

[AloeVera]

7. Ok thank you, my mistake.

I don't recall seeing any statements from him. I'm glad he did.

[mountain grammy]

8. Thank you.. I was just looking this up

because I knew he was pretty outspoken about this..

[mountain grammy]

9. So cynical.. and I get it. I'm pretty cynical these days.

but Pope Leo has spoken out about the killing in Gaza and called for a cease fire many times before this..

He just became Pope in May.

[Srkdqltr]

4. Its all religious. My church is the only one and yours is not. Ill kill you if you are not the same religion.