Gabriel Romanelli, the Argentine parish priest of the only Catholic church in Gaza, has been injured in an Israeli attack that killed two people.

“The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning,” the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed on Thursday. It said that several people had been injured including Romanelli, and added that the church had also sustained damage.

The Patriarchate later confirmed that two people had been killed.

Video posted on social media showed Romanelli with a bandage on his lower leg, walking with a slight limp.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement: “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. The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them.”

Argentina’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that it expressed “serious concern over the events that occurred” at the church.

“The Argentine government has communicated its concern to the authorities of the State of Israel, and trusts that the necessary aid will be provided to Father Romanelli, as well as to the members of the affected community.” 

It added that Argentina reiterated its call for “the prompt re-establishment of conditions that allow for peace and security in the region,” as well as for the protection of places of worship.

Pope Leo XIV wrote in a special telegram message that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack” on the church. “He assures the parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, and the whole parish community of his spiritual closeness.”

The pope called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict, and “expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and enduring peace in the region.”

The attack also drew condemnation from Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who wrote on X: “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify this attitude.” 

Pope Francis, who passed away in April, called Romanelli every evening after the conflict between Israel and Gaza broke out in October, 2023. On one occasion in January, a group of refugees and children were present for the call, in what the priest later described to Vatican News as a “very beautiful” moment.