VATICAN CITY – During his Sunday address at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo expressed grave concern about continuing reports of violence from Iran and throughout the Middle East region, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and renewed diplomatic efforts.
Speaking on the ninth day of ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, the pontiff – who is the first American to hold the papal office – cautioned that the current conflict is breeding fear and animosity while threatening to expand beyond its current boundaries.
During his Angelus prayer address, Leo stated: “Alongside the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear, there is also growing concern that the conflict could spread and that other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, could once again sink into instability.”
The Pope continued with an appeal for peace, saying: “Let us raise our humble prayer to the Lord that the roar of bombs may cease, that weapons may fall silent, and that space may be opened for dialogue in which the voices of peoples can be heard.”
Earlier this week, the Vatican’s chief diplomatic official issued sharp criticism of the ongoing military strikes, stating that the U.S.-Israeli operations violate international law. The diplomat argued that nations lack the authority to conduct “preventive wars,” marking an unusually strong rebuke of the current military actions from Vatican leadership.
