Pope Leo XIV held a phone conversation today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he renewed his call to prioritize diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing attacks on Gaza.

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the call—initiated by Netanyahu—took place Friday morning following an Israeli military strike on the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza. The attack resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left several others wounded, some critically.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father reiterated his appeal for a renewed commitment to negotiations, for a ceasefire, and for an end to the war," the statement read.

In his exchange with the Israeli leader, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation facing the people of Gaza, especially the suffering endured by children, the elderly, and the sick. He also emphasized the urgent need to protect places of worship, the faithful, and the broader civilian population.

On the same day, the Bishop of Rome also spoke by phone with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Alongside Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Pizzaballa had entered Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid following the bombing of the Catholic parish.

During their conversation, the Pope assured the patriarch of his commitment to doing everything possible "to stop the senseless slaughter of innocent people," expressing solidarity with the victims of the recent attack on the parish and with all those suffering throughout the Holy Land and the broader Middle East.

In a message sent the previous day to Argentine priest Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of the Church of the Holy Family and one of the injured in the bombing, Pope Leo XIV conveyed his "profound sorrow" over the Israeli strike.

The telegram, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, also conveyed the Pope’s “hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and a lasting peace in the region,” where Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have already claimed the lives of nearly 60,000 Palestinians.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that Thursday’s attack on the church, which had been sheltering approximately 500 people, caused extensive damage to the building and resulted in numerous injuries and the deaths of three individuals.