Pope Leo XIV: “In Gaza, stop the barbarity of war immediately. No to forced displacement of the population”

“I express my profound sorrow for the attack by the Israeli army on the Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV opened his appeal from the loggia of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, where today, the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, he recited the Angelus before a crowd of faithful and pilgrims. “Last Thursday,” he recalled, “the attack claimed the lives of three Christians and seriously wounded others.”

The Pontiff offered prayers for the victims, naming Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad, and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud, and expressed his closeness to their families and the entire parish community. “This act,” he denounced, “sadly adds to the continuous military assaults against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza.” Hence his heartfelt plea: “I once again call for an immediate halt to the barbarity of war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”

Addressing the international community, the Pope reiterated the urgent need to “uphold humanitarian law” and

“respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of the population.”

Words of encouragement were extended to Christians in the region: “You are in the heart of the Pope and of the entire Church. Thank you for your witness of faith. May the Virgin Mary, woman of the Levant, always protect you and guide the world towards a dawn of peace.”

Homily at the Cathedral of Albano

Earlier in the morning, at 9:30 am, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral of Albano, welcomed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Monsignor Vincenzo Viva, local authorities, and a community gathered in a spirit of profound joy. In his homily, the Pope commented on the Sunday readings, highlighting the connection between the hospitality of Abraham and Sarah and the Gospel account of Martha and Mary. “God chooses the path of hospitality to encounter us. He knocks at our door as a guest and, if we welcome him, he gives us new life,” he affirmed.

At the heart of his reflection was the duality of listening and service: “It would be wrong to pit Martha against Mary. Both respond generously to their encounter with the Lord. One serves, the other listens. But both open themselves to his presence.”

The Pope urged the faithful not to neglect times of silence and prayer, especially during these summer months, which can be an opportunity to nurture intimacy with God and “care for one another.” He spoke of the need to rediscover “moments of stillness and contemplation” to foster authentic relationships and to build peace and fraternity from the ground up.

“Listening and service,” he reiterated, “are twin dimensions of hospitality. It is not a matter of choosing one over the other, but of living both together, in the light of the Word and sustained by grace.”

At the end of the celebration, Pope Leo XIV presented Bishop Viva with a chasuble as a sign of closeness to the Church of Albano. “We present this gift,” he said, “with the hope that the Lord’s Blessing may always accompany you. Thank you for your service, and thanks to your people.”

Visit to the Observatory and Farewell from Castel Gandolfo

Following the Angelus, the Pope greeted the pilgrims present, including numerous groups of young people, families, students, volunteers, and representatives of various ecclesial communities. “I wish to thank all of you for your welcome,” he said. “I wish you all a blessed Sunday!”

He then announced that he will return to the Vatican in a few days, after spending two weeks in Castel Gandolfo.

Looking ahead to his departure, the Pontiff expressed gratitude for the warmth he had received. At the beginning of the Marian prayer, he had already invited everyone to rediscover the profound meaning of hospitality: “It takes humility both to host and to be hosted. Only this allows our lives to blossom: opening ourselves to something that takes us out of ourselves and at the same time fills us.”

Soon afterwards, Pope Leo XIV paid a private visit to the Vatican Observatory, marking the anniversary of the moon landing on 20 July 1969. Founded in 1891 and operating in Castel Gandolfo since 1935, the Observatory is one of the oldest scientific institutions of the Church.