Pope Leo XIV has urged countries caught up in the worsening crisis in the Middle East to acknowledge their ethical duty to seek peace, after reported air raids by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory.
Speaking during his Sunday Angelus message, as reported by Vatican News, the pontiff voiced serious anxiety about the unfolding situation, especially events affecting Iran.
āStability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,ā he said.
He cautioned that if the violence continues unchecked, the outcome could be disastrous for the region and beyond.
āFaced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions. āI address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!,ā he said.
Pope Leo XIV further expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would once again take centre stage in resolving the tensions.
āMay diplomacy recover its role and may the good of people be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice. And let us continue to pray for peace,ā he said.
On Saturday, Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Tehran and other parts of Iran, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran aimed at Israel and Gulf nations hosting American military installations.
In a twist, Iranian state media later reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic for nearly four decades, had died.
Pope Leo XIV urges peace amid US, Israel strikes on Iran
Ā
