An Israeli strike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church killed three people and injured several others, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the small parish, said on Thursday.
The Patriarchate condemned "this targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place," saying two women and one man had died in the attack on the Holy Family Church.
"This horrific war must come to a complete end," it said, adding the victims had turned to the church compound as a safe haven "after their homes, possessions, and dignity had already been stripped away."
The Holy Family Church spoke in a separate statement of "a number of injured, some in critical condition."
In a telegram for the victims, Pope Leo said he was "deeply saddened" and called for "an immediate ceasefire."
The pope expressed his "profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region," according to the telegram which was signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and made no mention of Israel.
The Israeli military said later on Thursday that an initial inquiry suggested fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly and the cause of the incident was under review.
It also said the country did not target churches or religious sites and regretted harm to them or civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church" and that "every innocent life lost is a tragedy."
"Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites," Netanyahu said in a statement.
In a statement, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster said: “I condemn this appalling strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, pray for the dead and injured, and stand in solidarity with Fr Gabriel Romanelli and the people sheltering in the compound – Christians and Muslims alike...I add my voice to Pope Leo’s call for a return of hostages, and an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering in Gaza and bring peace to the region."
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strike and held Israel responsible, stating: “The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.”
The Holy Family Church has long served as a shelter and spiritual refuge for Gaza’s small Christian community, which has been under strain due to ongoing conflict. The Latin Patriarchate has called for prayer and peace in the wake of the incident.
(Reuters contributed to this report)
