Pope Leo mourns Christian women killed in Gaza: ‘How long, O Lord?’

Pope Leo XIV mourned two Christian women killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, assuring their families and the Christian community of his prayers and asking, “How long, O Lord?”

The Holy Father sent a message to Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, following the deaths of Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter, Mary Hafez Michel Najjar, Vatican News reported Oct. 5.

“Since learning the painful news of the deaths of Maysa and Mary, I have been praying to God for them, for their families and for the entire community of Gaza. How long, O Lord?” Pope Leo wrote.

The Pope also thanked Father Romanelli for his continued ministry in Gaza.

“Thank you for accompanying the parish and so many people who wish to live in peace,” he said, concluding with his blessing and “an affectionate embrace.”

The mother and daughter, both Greek Orthodox Christians, were among five civilians killed when an Israeli strike hit a residential building in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood early Saturday, according to Vatican News. 

Zeale News reported Oct. 4 that the women had recently found a new place of refuge and were attempting to rebuild their lives.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hamas command center or leader, with Reuters reporting that the military claimed it was targeting Hamas’ Ali al-Amoudi. Medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital said several others wounded in the attack were in serious condition, according to Vatican News.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, also mourned the two women Oct. 3, extending his condolences to their families and Gaza’s Christian community.

>> Cardinal Pizzaballa mourns Christian mother and daughter killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza <<

Cardinal Pizzaballa prayed that God would “receive the two deceased in His abundant mercy, grant them eternal rest in His Kingdom, and bestow upon their families and loved ones the grace of consolation, strength, and hope.”

Their funeral was held Saturday at St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City.

The deaths come as Gaza’s small Christian community continues to contend with the effects of the war. Holy Family Catholic Church, where Father Romanelli serves as pastor, and the Missionaries of Charity continue caring for displaced people, according to Vatican News.

Despite the difficult conditions, the Latin Patriarchate’s school in Gaza reopened Sept. 15 for the 2026-2027 academic year, welcoming more than 1,000 students after nearly three years of disrupted education.

>> Gaza Catholic school reopens, welcoming 1,000 students <<

Cardinal Pizzaballa described the reopening as a sign that Gaza’s Christians remain determined to rebuild.

According to Vatican News, he told La Repubblica, “Despite all the difficulties, we want to begin again: we are not giving up.”