Pope Leo, whose role in advocating for peace in Gaza has become notably stark since Israel struck the territory's only Catholic church last week, told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday that he opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians.

"Sadly, this act adds to the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza."

Pope Leo XIV slammed the "barbarity" of the war in Gaza on Sunday and urged against the "indiscriminate use of force", just days after a deadly strike by Israel's military on a Catholic church."I once again ask for an immediate end to the barbarity of the war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,