Gaza's Only Catholic Priest Makes Plea for Peace

Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. Source: The Pillar

GAZA CITY — Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, Gaza's sole parish priest, issued a heartfelt plea for peace in a September 23 video, describing the relentless bombing and suffering in the region. “Everyone is pleading for mercy, for compassion, to stop this war, to stop killing,” said Romanelli, a member of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, who has served in Gaza since 2005. He recounted the terror of nearby explosions, with shrapnel and deafening sounds striking fear into the faithful, including children.

Romanelli lamented the lack of progress toward peace, CNA reports, and criticized the failure to reverse harmful decisions or allow residents to rebuild their ancestral homes. “People are deeply distressed, worn out, and speechless,” he said, noting daily deaths and widespread destruction. He expressed gratitude for peace calls from Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, urging prayers for all—Jews, Muslims, and others—emphasizing their shared humanity.

Highlighting the dire situation, Romanelli described people trapped under rubble and others unable to leave dangerous areas. Sheltering in the parish, many face constant threats, with a recent bomb forcing them to flee back inside. He called on Our Lady of Sorrows for comfort and urged all to “do good” and pray for an end to the war.

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