Pope Leo XIV emphasised the importance of protecting places of worship in a call Friday with Prime Minister Benjamin following Israel’s deadly strike on Gaza’s only Catholic Church, the Vatican said.
The pontiff also renewed his appeal for negotiations, a ceasefire and the end of the war, while reiterating his concern for the “dramatic humanitarian situation” in the Palestinian territory, it said in a statement.
The Vatican said Netanyahu initiated the call on Friday morning, the day after Israeli fire on the Holy Family Church in Gaza City killed three people and provoked international condemnation.
“During the conversation, the Holy Father renewed his appeal to revive negotiations and reach a ceasefire and the end of the war,” the Vatican said in a statement, noting that Leo was at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.