Pope Leo asks ‘those responsible’ for a ceasefire from ‘atrocious violence of war’ in Iran

Pope Leo XIV addressed the military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran during his noon Angelus prayer from the Vatican on Sunday. He called for a ceasefire among “those responsible” and pleaded with them to reopen dialogue to end the ongoing violence. “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all […]

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Pope Leo XIV addressed the military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran during his noon Angelus prayer from the Vatican on Sunday. He called for a ceasefire among “those responsible” and pleaded with them to reopen dialogue to end the ongoing violence.

“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of goodwill, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,” said the pope. “Cease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for.”

While speaking of the people of the war-torn area, the Holy See mentioned the innocent civilians caught in the middle of the conflict, noting that for two weeks, “the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the atrocious violence of war.”

“Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and many others have been forced to abandon their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all those who have lost their loved ones in the attacks that have struck schools, hospitals, and residential areas,” said Pope Leo.

The pontiff did not mention any country or national leader in his comments, instead only asking for peace and the end to innocent people dying, according to reports. He referenced the missile strike that hit a school in Minab, Iran, reportedly killing as many as 175 people, many of whom were schoolchildren.

Leo mentioned he was “close” to the families that died in airstrikes, “which have hit schools, hospitals, and residential centers.” The Vatican’s official publication, L’Osservatore Romano, published an aerial photo in the article titled “The Face of War” of the destroyed school after the mistaken missile strike, the Washington Post reported.

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Pope Leo also expressed regret and concern for the violence in Lebanon, as the people in the country have been caught in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-funded Lebanese political party and military organization. Both sides have launched multiple strikes against each other from Lebanon, and noncombatants have been killed as a result.

“I hope for paths of dialogue that can support the country’s authorities in implementing lasting solutions to the serious crisis underway, for the common good of all the Lebanese people,” Leo said.