Three people died in a strike on Gaza's only Catholic church that the late Pope Francis used to speak to regularly, reports Reuters, citing medics and church officials.
Jerusalem's Latin Patriarchate, which oversees the small parish, said two women and one man died, and several people were wounded in a strike by the Israeli army on Gaza's Holy Family Church.
"The Latin Patriarchate strongly condemns this tragedy and this targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place. This horrific war must come to a complete end," read a statement by the Patriarchate.
Father Gabriele Romanelli, an Argentine who used to regularly update the late Pope Francis about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was lightly injured in the attack.
TV footage showed him sitting, receiving treatment at Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza, with a bandage around his lower right leg.
Pope Leo said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of life and renewed his appeal for an immediate ceasefire, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said attacks on civilians were unacceptable.
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