On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV called on nations involved in the escalating Middle East conflict to recognize their moral responsibility to pursue peace, following reported airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Speaking during his Angelus address, the Pontiff expressed “deep concern” over the recent developments, emphasizing that stability cannot be achieved through threats or weapons, which only sow destruction, pain, and death.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I address the parties involved with a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV urged a return to dialogue and diplomacy, praying that nations prioritize the welfare of their citizens and long-term peaceful coexistence. “May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice. And let us continue to pray for peace,” he added.
The appeal comes amid heightened tensions in the region. On Saturday, Israel and the United States reportedly launched joint airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting American military bases. Iranian state media later announced the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for nearly 37 years.