Pope Leo XIII on Sunday issued an urgent appeal for an end to the bombings in the Middle East, urging the parties involved in the conflict to prioritize dialogue in the face of escalating violence. The pontiff stated that "deeply disturbing" reports continued to emerge from Iran and across the region.
In a message delivered from the Vatican, the first American pope expressed his concern over the escalating fighting as the US-Israeli offensive against Iran entered its ninth day. He warned that continued hostilities risked further fueling fear and hatred.
The pontiff also expressed concern that the war could spread to other countries in the Middle East. He stated that the current dynamics of the conflict could lead to broader destabilization of the region if no diplomatic initiatives are undertaken quickly.
Pope Leo XIII called on political leaders to redouble their efforts to open channels of discussion and promote a negotiated solution. He stressed that only an approach based on dialogue and diplomacy could prevent an uncontrollable escalation.
His intervention comes as military tensions continue to escalate between Iran, the United States and Israel, with strikes and reprisals now affecting several countries in the region.
Since the start of the conflict, several religious leaders and international organizations have also expressed their concerns, warning of the humanitarian and political consequences of a prolonged war in the Middle East.
