ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV marked the 56th anniversary of man’s arrival on the moon Sunday with a visit to the Vatican astronomical observatory in Castel Gandolfo and a call to astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

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

According to the Palestinian government, approximately 59,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 18,000 children and 10,000 women since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7,

In a telephone conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine on Monday, Pope Leo XIV repeated his appeal for international humanitarian law to be fully respected. According to the Vatican,

July 21 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV spoke with astronaut Buzz Aldrin to discuss the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. During the call, the two reminisced on the 1969 landing, "reflecting on the mystery of creation, its greatness and fragility."

Yesterday, it was announced that the Holy Family Church — a shelter and place of worship for Catholics in Gaza — was struck by Israel amid the continuing Israel-Palestine conflict. Three people were killed. Related: JD Vance’s Old Epstein Tweets Are Coming Back To Haunt Him In A Big Way