Pope Leo XIV has called on countries caught up in the worsening Middle East crisis to embrace dialogue and demonstrate moral responsibility in preventing further violence following reported joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Speaking during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff voiced “deep concern” over the rapidly unfolding situation, particularly developments within Iran, according to Vatican News.
He stressed that lasting stability cannot emerge from military confrontation or threats between nations.
“Stability 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,” he said.
The Pope cautioned that continued escalation could trigger devastating consequences for the region and beyond, urging leaders to halt hostilities before the situation deteriorates further.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions. I 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!,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed hope that diplomatic engagement would once again take centre stage in resolving the crisis.
“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 after reports that Israel and the United States launched coordinated airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Saturday, actions that reportedly prompted retaliatory attacks by Iran against Israel and Gulf nations hosting American military installations.
Amid the escalating conflict, Iranian state media later confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic for nearly four decades.
