Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for peace in the Middle East, urging an immediate end to ongoing hostilities and the restoration of dialogue among the parties involved.
Speaking during his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican on Sunday, the pontiff lamented the humanitarian toll of the conflict, which he said has caused immense suffering across the region.
“Dear brothers and sisters, for two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have suffered the atrocious violence of war,” the US pontiff said at his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican.
“Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes.
“I renew my closeness to all those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that have hit schools, hospitals, and residential areas,” he added.
The pope also expressed deep concern over developments in Lebanon, noting that the situation there remains particularly troubling.
“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict,” he said in Italian.
“Cease fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened!
“Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that people await,” he said.
