The call came one day after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s only Catholic church killed three people and injured several others. 

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke with Pope Leo on Friday, according to a statement from the Vatican. 

The call came one day after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s only Catholic church killed three people and injured several others. 

During the conversation, the pope reiterated his call for a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza. 

He also voiced deep concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

Pope Leo emphasised the urgent need to safeguard places of worship, religious communities, and all civilians in both the Palestinian territories and Israel, the Vatican said. 

Recall that an Israeli strike on Gaza's only Catholic church left several people injured, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Thursday.

"The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. There are several injuries in the place, including the Parish Priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli," the Patriarchate said in a statement.

"Currently there are no fatalities confirmed. The Church sustained damage," it added.

Reacting to the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expressed regret over the development.

In a post on its official X handle, the IDF noted that it was reviewing the extent of damage caused by the attack. 

"The IDF is aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under review," it said.

"The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them."

On her official X handle, the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, condemned the attack on the church by Israel. According to her, the Israeli military had no basis for the attack.

"Israel raids on Gaza also hit the Holy family church. The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such behaviour," she wrote on X.

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, also condemned the raid.