In the heart of Gaza City, where war continues to displace thousands, Pope Leo XIV personally reached out to the Holy Family Catholic Church, offering words of blessing and hope to the 450 Christians sheltering there.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, shared that the Pope “gave us his blessing and prayed for us and for peace. He follows everything closely and is committed to ending the war,” according to Vatican News and Antiwar.com.
The Holy Family Church, along with the nearby St. Porphyrius Orthodox Church, has become a refuge for the elderly, the sick, and children who refuse to leave Gaza City despite evacuation orders. “Most of the population does not want to leave,” Father Romanelli explained. “Everywhere there is danger, but many want to remain in the city. We try to accompany them and help as we can,” he told Vatican News.
This call marks Pope Leo’s first known direct contact with the parish, echoing the pastoral style of Pope Francis, who frequently phoned communities in crisis. The Holy Father’s concern follows his strong condemnation of the July shelling that struck the parish, killing three Christians and wounding Father Romanelli. Despite his injuries, the priest presided over Mass that very day “for the repose of the souls of those killed,” according to reports.
Even amid devastation, signs of hope persist. “In the midst of so much pain, God blesses us with signs of life and joy,” Father Romanelli said, pointing to a recent wedding and the birth of a baby boy within the community. He urged the faithful worldwide to join their prayers: “We continue to pray for peace, for the whole of Gaza, for the Middle East, and for the world. May the Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant us the miracle of peace.”
For Catholics around the globe, this moment is a reminder to stand in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza; to light candles, offer rosaries, and call upon Our Lady’s intercession for peace in the Holy Land.
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