The total toll of the tragedy of the attack on the parish in Gaza was three fatalities.
From Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV listed all of their names.
POPE LEO XIV
I pray for the victims: Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud, and I express my particular closeness to their families and to all the parishioners.
The Pope called for respect for the civilian population and places of worship. He also sent this message to the international community:
POPE LEO XIV
Humanitarian law must be upheld, and the obligation to protect civilians must be respected, along with the prohibition of collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and forced displacement of the population.
Moments earlier, during the brief homily he gave before the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo invited Christians to rest during vacation periods and to try to live a true encounter with God.
JRB
Trans. CRT
