Pope Leo has called the parish of the Holy Family, the only Catholic parish in Gaza, where around 500 refugees live together within the parish complex.
This was shared by the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, through a post on his social media. It is the first known instance of a phone call made from the pontiff to this community.
The priest said that Pope Leo asked how they were doing and inquired about the situation. He also gave them his blessing and said he was praying for them and for peace.
This gesture had also been a daily habit of Pope Francis, who used to call the parish almost every day to, like Pope Leo, show a sign of closeness to them.
On the day of the call, Pope Leo was in Castel Gandolfo. He had returned to spend a working day in the citadel.
Upon returning to the Vatican, the press asked him about the Israeli attack on several buildings where Hamas leaders were located. Leo said the news was serious, and that we must continue praying and insisting on peace.
That same day, Israel reissued a total evacuation order for Gaza. The Pope mentioned he tried to call the parish priest but had not heard back. Finally, as Romanelli noted, they managed to speak.
The past two weeks have not been easy for Christians in the area. They had already been warned about the evacuation order but, despite everything, many chose to stay.
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TR: VL
