Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Sunday made an urgent appeal for peace in the Middle East, warning of the risk of uncontrollable escalation following recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran's retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli cities.
According to Anadolu Agency, the pontiff spoke from the window of the Apostolic Palace after the Angelus prayer, urging an end to the hostilities. He emphasized the need to prevent the tragedy of war from becoming an "irreparable abyss."
The Pope highlighted the dire situation faced by civilians, particularly in Gaza and other conflict zones, expressing concern that their suffering might be overshadowed by the ongoing escalation. He called for a response rooted in "responsibility and reason," instead of allowing the "roar of weapons and rhetoric" to dominate.
He warned that the continuation of violence could lead to irreversible consequences, stressing that there are no distant wars when human dignity is at stake. The Pope reiterated that war does not solve problems but instead amplifies them, leaving deep wounds that linger for generations.
Pope Leo urged for diplomacy to take precedence over military actions, advocating for nations to pursue peace rather than conflict. He called on the international community, particularly those with influence, to act decisively to prevent a path with no return.
Tensions have heightened in the region after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces conducted airstrikes on nuclear sites in Ford, Natanz, and Esfahan. Following these strikes, Iran requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address what it views as violations of international law.
The current hostilities erupted on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, which led to retaliatory attacks from Tehran. Reports indicate significant casualties, with Israeli authorities citing at least 25 deaths and hundreds of injuries from Iranian missile attacks, while the Iranian Health Ministry reported 430 deaths and over 3,500 wounded from Israeli assaults.