Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace Amid Middle East Tensions
(MENAFN) On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV issued a fervent call for peace in the Middle East, highlighting the grave danger of the conflict spiraling out of control following recent US airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran’s subsequent missile attacks on Israeli cities.
Addressing the public from the Apostolic Palace window after the Angelus prayer, the Pope stressed, “We must stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” as noted in a Vatican release.
He characterized the current situation as “alarming” and “dramatic,” expressing concern that the plight of civilians—especially those in Gaza and other affected regions—may be overlooked amid the intensifying violence.
“Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to respond to this plea with “responsibility and reason,” rather than allowing it to be “drowned out by the roar of weapons and rhetoric inciting conflict.”
The pontiff cautioned that ongoing hostilities risk pushing the world to an irreversible tipping point. “There are no distant wars when human dignity is at stake,” he said.
He added, “War does not solve problems; it amplifies them and inflicts deep wounds in the history of peoples – wounds that take generations to heal.”
Highlighting the human cost, he insisted that no military triumph can justify the anguish of mourning mothers, frightened children, and robbed futures of young generations. “Let diplomacy silence the weapons,” he pleaded. “Let nations chart their future through acts of peace, not violence and bloody conflict.”
Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV urged decisive international intervention: “Everyone is called to respond – especially those with responsibilities – to prevent humanity from walking a path with no return.”
The tensions in the region surged further after US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that American forces had conducted “very successful” airstrikes on nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, fueling fears of a wider war.
In response to the US attacks, Iran demanded that the UN Security Council hold an emergency session to condemn the strikes and hold violators of international law accountable.
The conflict erupted on June 13 when Israel carried out air raids on several Iranian military and nuclear sites, triggering retaliatory missile launches by Tehran.
Since then, Israeli officials report at least 25 fatalities and hundreds wounded due to Iranian missile attacks.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Health Ministry states that Israeli strikes have killed 430 people and injured over 3,500 within Iran.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
