Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza after an Israeli strike killed three civilians sheltering in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the church was hit directly by a tank shell, wounding nine others and damaging the building.

Victims included an elderly woman and the parish janitor. Israel expressed regret and is investigating the incident.

The church was sheltering around 600 displaced people, mostly children, the BBC has reported.

Global religious and political leaders condemned the strike, calling it a violation of human dignity and sacred spaces.

Written by B.C. Begley