Pope Leo XIV condemned an Israeli attack on Gaza’s only Catholic church, urging adherence to humanitarian law. Ongoing Israeli strikes across Gaza and other nations have killed thousands, sparking global concern.

Pope Leo XIV slammed the "barbarity" of the war in Gaza on Sunday and urged against the "indiscriminate use of force", just days after a deadly strike by Israel's military on a Catholic church.

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces opened fire on Sunday on a crowd of Palestinians waiting to collect humanitarian aid, providing a preliminary toll of at least 44 people killed. The latest deaths came as Pope Leo XIV slammed the "barbarity" of the war in Gaza in his traditional Sunday blessing.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father renewed his call for renewed momentum for negotiation efforts and for a ceasefire and an end to the war."

Pontiff, Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu speak in wake of Thursday attack by Israeli forces on Catholic church in Gaza that killed at least 3, injured several others - Anadolu Ajansı