Latest news with #TheophilosIII
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza following deadly Israeli church attack
Leaders from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Church visited Gaza's only Catholic church on Friday, where a day earlier three people were killed in an Israeli strike. The visit is highly unusual given Israel's tight control over access in and out of the territory. Israel says it 'deeply regrets' the incident, blaming stray ammunition for the strike. An investigation is underway. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the enclave to show their support for Gaza's Catholics, according to a statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The two expressed 'the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the community of Gaza,' the Patriarchate - which has jurisdiction for Roman Catholics in Gaza - said. They brought in food aid and medical supplies to the territory, which is facing a humanitarian crisis. The Patriarchate also said the leaders ensured those injured in the Israeli attack would be evacuated outside Gaza for treatment. The church in Gaza has become a shelter for the enclave's tiny Christian community and others during the conflict. Some 600 people, most of them children, were given refuge in the church before it was struck, the Patriarchate said in a statement Thursday. Pope Leo received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, in which the pontiff expressed the importance of protecting places of worship, the Vatican said. During the call, Leo renewed his calls for a ceasefire to be reached by the warring sides in Gaza. Pope Leo 'again expressed his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose heartbreaking price is paid especially by children, the elderly and the sick,' according to the statement. Netanyahu's office confirmed the call, saying that the Israeli leader 'expressed Israel's regret for the tragic incident' and that he offered his 'heartfelt condolences' to the families of the victims of the strike. There has been international condemnation of the attack, including from key Israeli ally the US, which comes at a time when there has been no let up in the offensive in Gaza. Nearly 59,000 people have died during the conflict, the Palestinian health ministry says, and ceasefire talks remain deadlocked. Dr. Fadl Naim, Director of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, asked why those injured in the attack were able to leave when others are barred. 'Is it an attempt to polish the image of the occupation, or a discriminatory act — treating the wounded differently based on religion?' he asked on X. 'What about the tens of thousands of injured Palestinians who are denied their basic right to travel for treatment?' This story has been updated with additional developments. CNN's Dana Karni contributed to this report.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Christian leaders make rare visit to shelled church in Gaza
Israel has granted two senior Christian leaders rare access to Gaza after an Israeli strike on the Palestinian territory's only Roman Catholic church killed three people. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Catholic Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, Theophilos III, led a delegation on Friday to the Holy Family Church, whose shelling the day before triggered international condemnation. Israeli authorities, which strictly control access to the besieged territory, permitted the visit after Benjamin Netanyahu said his country 'deeply regrets' the strike on the church, where hundreds of Palestinians, including children and people with disabilities, have been sheltering. The Israeli prime minister blamed the strike on a 'stray' tank round, without providing evidence. Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday morning and during the conversation the pontiff reiterated his appeal for 'a renewed impetus to negotiations, for a ceasefire and for an end to the war', the Vatican said in a statement. Leo also expressed concern over the 'dramatic' humanitarian situation in Gaza and stressed the urgent need to protect places of worship, the faithful and all people in the Palestinian territories and Israel, the statement added. Ten people were wounded in the shelling, including Gabriel Romanelli, the church's priest, who used to receive daily calls from the late Pope Francis. He suffered light injuries to his right leg. Israel resumed its strikes on Friday morning, with at least 14 Palestinians reported to have been killed across Gaza. Pizzaballa and Theophilos, who last week travelled to the occupied West Bank after an attack on a Byzantine-era church blamed on Israeli settlers, met local Christians. As they entered the enclave, Pizzaballa received a call from Leo, who was elected as successor to Francis in May. 'Pope Leo repeatedly stated that it is time to stop this slaughter, that what has happened is unjustifiable, and that we must ensure there are no more victims,' he told Vatican News. In a statement on Thursday, the pope had called for 'an immediate ceasefire' in Gaza and expressed his 'profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region'. The Greek Orthodox patriarchate said the visit was 'a powerful expression' of church unity and solidarity. Among the delegation were representatives from more than 20 countries, including Jordan, Russia, China, the EU, Japan and Canada. Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said the group arrived with 500 tonnes of aid for local civilians. 'The Italian government calls on Israel to stop military actions and to fully guarantee the safety of the two envoys in their important mission,' Tajani said. Both Italy and France called the strike 'unacceptable' and Donald Trump called Netanyahu after having 'not a positive reaction' on hearing about it, according to Karoline Leavitt, the US president's press secretary. 'It was a mistake by the Israelis to hit that Catholic church, that's what the prime minister relayed to the president,' she told reporters. There are about 1,000 Christians among Gaza's population of more than 2 million. Most are Greek Orthodox, with about 135 Catholics, according to the Latin patriarchate. Israel's military says it does not target churches and religious sites but it has bombed mosques. The Jerusalem patriarchate said there had been 'repeated assaults on Christian holy sites in Gaza'.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church kills 3
Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City a day earlier. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade and shattering windows read more Archbishop Alexios of the Saint Porphyrius Church (C) receives Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa (3rd-R) and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III (4th-L) during their visit to the Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City on July 18, 2025. AFP Clergy members from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches have paid a visit to Gaza's only church after Israeli strikes hit the complex, killing three people. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered Gaza, a highly unusual move due to Israel's control over the region, with Theophilos III to bring aid to the victims of the airstrike as he and a Vatican official questioned Israeli explanations for the incident. Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed 'the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the community of Gaza.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City a day earlier. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade and shattering windows. Israel 'regrets' strike on church Meanwhile, Israel has expressed 'regret' over Gaza's only Catholic church. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, 'Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.' 'Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites,' the office added in a statement. The church has sheltered hundreds of Palestinians since the start of Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the enclave in October 2023, following the group's deadly attack on Israel. In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, Pizzaballa said a Catholic presence would remain in Gaza 'whatever happens,' and he expressed doubts about Israel's explanation that the strike was a mistake. 'We are not a target. They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn't,' said the cardinal, who is Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, the top Catholic authority in the region,' he said. Pope Leo speaks to Netanyahu Meanwhile, Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday following the country's attack on the Gaza church. The Vatican, in a statement, said, 'During the meeting, the Holy Father renewed his appeals for renewed impetus to negotiations and for a ceasefire and an end to the war. He reiterated his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose excruciating price is being paid especially by children, the elderly, and the sick.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The pope also called for protecting places of worship and the people of Palestine and Israel. With inputs from agencies
UAE Moments
3 days ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Christian Leaders Visit Gaza After Israeli Attack on Church
Two senior Christian leaders—the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III entered Gaza on July 18, in a rare show of solidarity following a devastating Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church, Gaza's only Catholic place of worship. The strike, which occurred on July 17, tragically killed three civilians and injured the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, among others. The church also sustained extensive damage while providing shelter to hundreds, including children and those with disabilities. Israel's government expressed regret, describing the incident as the result of 'stray ammunition' and pledged an investigation; Prime Minister Netanyahu stated he 'deeply regrets' the strike. U.S. President Donald Trump also contacted Netanyahu, relaying that the White House 'was not happy' with the incident. During their visit, Patriarchs Pizzaballa and Theophilos III met with Gaza's Christian community to deliver condolences and distribute hundreds of tonnes of food, first-aid kits, medical supplies, and to support the evacuation of the wounded. Latin Patriarchate emphasized the delegation's mission to assess 'humanitarian and pastoral needs' in the enclave. Global religious voices responded strongly. Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded Pope Francis in May, issued a call for an immediate ceasefire, expressing deep sorrow over the fatal attack. He reaffirmed hopes for dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace. Meanwhile, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strike as 'unacceptable,' and France joined in denouncing the loss of civilian life. This mission highlights the fragile state of Gaza's tiny Christian community—approximately 1,000 Christians, of whom only around 135 are Catholic, amid a conflict that has already damaged or destroyed numerous religious sites, including other churches and mosques.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and Greek Orthodox counterpart allowed to enter Gaza in rare solidarity visit
Top Christian leaders in Jerusalem made a rare solidarity visit to Gaza on Friday, a day after the Israeli military struck a Catholic church in Gaza, killing three people and prompting international condemnation. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, Theophilos III, were allowed to enter Gaza - which has been closed to outsiders - and met with people at the Holy Family Church and walked around the damaged building. Few people have been allowed to enter or leave Gaza, except a trickle of aid workers or people being evacuated for medical care.
