Stop “the barbarity of war ” in Gaza. Not only that: “Observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population.” Yesterday, Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said that it was “legitimate” to raise doubts about whether Israel’s raid on the area of the Church of the Holy Family , in Gaza, had been a mistake. Today, Pope Leo XIV is speaking, renewing the pressure from the Church and the Vatican on the Tel Aviv government, on a day that saw another 51 deaths among people waiting for food aid, yet another massacre near distribution centers. Two days ago, the pontiff had received an"apology" phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but it is significant that the message persists from the highest levels of the Vatican hierarchy on the points on which Israel is under accusation: the protection of civilians, collective punishment, the risk of deportations."We must dialogue and lay down our weapons," "the world can no longer tolerate war," "we must pray and trust in God," Pope Prevost emphasized, responding to some journalists as he left Mass in the Albano Cathedral. And again on Gaza: “We insisted on the need to protect the sacred sites,” he added, “and to work together in this direction, leaving behind so much violence and so much hatred.”

Demonstrating the Church's concern at the highest levels is the fact that Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Family—the only Catholic parish in Gaza—was presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, also wrote to Pizzaballa: in the letter, Gugerotti speaks of the"shame of being unable to put an end to this barbarity, remaining at the window watching as if all this did not belong to us and was not a prophecy of death for all humanity." Faced with "this massacre" affecting an entire population, the cardinal once again focuses on the"inhumane act, among so many others," of the Israeli military attack on the Holy Family. An attack, he states,"that violates the ancient right to asylum, recognized as a step forward in civilization": hundreds of people have sought refuge in this parish since the beginning of the war. The cardinal wonders,"horrified, whether this act was ever intended and planned." He expresses his closeness to the wounded and to the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who is committed to welcoming and providing shelter to all who request it.

And again, Romanelli himself – wounded in the Israeli raid – spoke to the Vatican media: “The situation continues to be very serious throughout the Gaza Strip,” he recounts, “we have been comforted by the closeness of the Church, as always. Pope Leo called us. The Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, came once again, and was accompanied by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch. A deeply heartfelt visit, truly beautiful, in the midst of this tragedy, the comfort, the prayers, the closeness of the pastors, of all the faithful, of all people of good will.” The parish priest explains: “We continue to pray for peace, to convince the world that this war will bring nothing good, so the sooner it ends the better, better for everyone: for Palestine, for Israel, for all its citizens.” “So,” he concludes, “I ask you again for your prayers and to try to convince the whole world to end this war so that we can begin to rebuild peace, justice, and reconciliation in both Palestine and Israel.”