Pope Leo XIV sent a message to Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, after an Israeli airstrike killed two members of the local Christian community. The Holy See once again expressed its solidarity, prayers and closeness to the people of Gaza, along with its deep concern and sorrow.
According to Vatican News, the attack took place in the early hours of Saturday, October 3, when a residential building in the Rimal neighbourhood, in the western part of Gaza City, was hit. Five civilians were killed and many people were injured. Among those killed were Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary Hafez Michel Najjar, both Greek Catholics and members of Gaza’s Christian community.
The mother and daughter had only recently found new shelter, hoping to begin a new life. Their deaths once again drew attention to the difficult situation facing the small and exhausted local Christian community, which remains united and continues to work for peace despite the circumstances.
“How long, O Lord?”
In his message to the parish priest of the Holy Family, the Pope expressed his sorrow over the deaths of the two women and his gratitude for the priest’s closeness to people who want to live in peace:
> Good morning, Father Gabriel. Since learning the painful news of Maysa and Mary’s deaths, I have been praying to God for them, for their families and for the entire community in Gaza. How long, O Lord? Thank you for accompanying the parish and so many people who want to live in peace. I send my blessing and a warm embrace.
Vatican News describes the Pope’s words, “How long, O Lord?”, as a cry and an appeal to bring an end to the hatred and destruction that have ravaged the Gaza Strip for years. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, joined the Pope’s message. On behalf of the clergy and the entire diocese, he expressed his deepest condolences and condemned the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Ahead of the tragic anniversary of October 7, Pizzaballa also reflected in an interview on the wider situation in the area. He noted that the humanitarian situation had worsened and that Israelis and Palestinians continue to live with deep and unresolved trauma.
The injured in serious condition and aid for displaced people
Airstrikes on Gaza continue to hit densely populated areas. According to reports from Al Shifa Hospital cited by Vatican News, those injured in Saturday’s bombardment are in serious condition. The Israeli military justified the attack by claiming that the target was a command centre or one of Hamas’s leaders.
Rimal, once a thriving commercial centre of the city, has now been almost reduced to rubble. While international diplomacy is struggling to find a solution for a lasting ceasefire, the local Church continues to provide humanitarian aid and hope to hundreds of displaced people who no longer have a safe place to live. On the ground, the effort is led by Father Romanelli and the Missionaries of Charity sisters.
