Church leaders visit Gaza after Israeli strike on Holy Family Church (4)

GAZA, PALESTINE - JULY 18: Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, traveled to Gaza on Friday, July 18 to visit the Holy Family Catholic Church.According to a joint statement by churches in Jerusalem, the visit comes in response to an Israeli tank strike that hit the church compound on Thursday.After visiting the Holy Family Catholic Church, the only Catholic parish in Gaza, alongside Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said the pope personally called him during the visit to express his concern.“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,” Pizzaballa told Vatican News.The pope conveyed his “closeness, care, prayer, support, and desire to do everything possible to achieve not only a ceasefire but also an end to this tragedy,” he added.The visit came a day after an Israeli tank shell hit the parish, killing three people and injuring 10 others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.The Holy Family Church had been sheltering around 600 civilians, including children with special needs.Pizzaballa thanked the pope for “his solidarity and the prayers he had already assured us of,” saying the entire Catholic community in Gaza was grateful.He said the ecumenical delegation delivered hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, and helped evacuate the wounded for treatment outside Gaza.In a separate joint statement, the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem denounced the attack.“In unyielding unity, we strongly denounce this crime,” they said.(Footage by Anas Zeyad Fteha /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)