Pope Leo XIV issued an urgent plea for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, warning that escalating violence—sparked by U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel—could lead to an uncontrollable crisis.
Speaking after the Angelus prayer in the Vatican, the Pope described the situation as “alarming” and called for diplomacy to replace armed conflict. He emphasized the human toll of war and urged world leaders to act with responsibility and reason.
The conflict has intensified since June 13, when Israel struck Iranian targets, prompting deadly retaliation. Casualties continue to mount, with hundreds killed and thousands injured in both Israel and Iran. The U.S. and Iran have both called for international responses, raising fears of a wider regional war. Source: AFP
