Pope Leo XIV on Sunday issued his most forceful comments to date on the conflict involving Iran, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities. He called on those leading the combat to stop the violence following lethal attacks targeting schools and civilian neighborhoods.
According to The Associated Press, the pontiff delivered this appeal during his Sunday noon blessing at the Vatican, imploring the warring parties to end the fighting and seek talks rather than further military escalation.
“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all people of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,” Leo stated. “Cease fire so that pathways for dialogue can be opened again. Violence can never achieve the justice, stability, and peace that the population awaits.”
While not naming the U.S. or Israel directly, the pope seemed to allude to an assault in the initial phase of the war that hit an Iranian school, resulting in over 165 fatalities, a significant number of whom were children.
American authorities indicated the strike might have relied on obsolete intelligence, and a probe into the event is currently in progress.
The pope expressed his particular closeness to the families of those killed in assaults on schools, hospitals, and residential zones throughout the hostilities.
He also voiced worry about the consequences of the combat in Lebanon, where relief organizations have cautioned that the intensifying war could precipitate a humanitarian disaster.
The Vatican is especially concerned about Christian communities in southern Lebanon, historically viewed as a crucial Christian presence in a predominantly Muslim area.
For most of the two weeks since the war started, Leo has confined his public statements to general calls for peace and dialogue, refraining from directly mentioning the U.S. or Israel—a position aligning with the Holy See’s enduring practice of diplomatic impartiality.
Certain Catholic figures, however, have adopted a more explicit position on the conflict.
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the Archbishop of Washington, labeled the war morally indefensible, and Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich rebuked the White House for disseminating social media posts about the war that used imagery reminiscent of video games.
In a related development, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin dismissed Washington’s description of the warfare as a “preventive war,” but affirmed the Holy See maintains open channels with all parties.
“The Holy See speaks with everyone,” Parolin remarked. “When needed, we also speak with the Americans, with the Israelis, and present to them what we consider to be the solutions.”