Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Pope Leo XIV on Friday after Israel's deadly attack on the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza that killed three people and wounded 10 others, according to the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza. The Israeli strike July 17 hit the Holy Family Catholic Church compound that Pope Francis called daily from the start of the war until he died.

Netanyahu held a call with Pope Leo XIV, where he expressed optimism about the hostage talks, while the Pope asked to keep sacred places safe from the war.