Pope Leo to warring nations in the Middle East: ‘Cease fire!’

As the war in Iran entered its 16th day, Pope Leo XIV again called for a ceasefire in the Middle East. In an address to thousands of pilgrims and tourists from many countries gathered in St. Peter’s Square at midday on Sunday, March 15, he said: “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East, and of all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: Cease fire!” 

“For two weeks now, the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the horrific violence of war,” the pope said about the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel that has now involved more than a dozen countries. “Thousands of innocent people have been killed,” he said, referring to almost 1,500 deaths in Iran as a result of bombing by the United States and Israel and another 826 people killed in Lebanon, some 100 of them children, as a result of Israeli attacks. Dozens more have died in other countries, including 15 in Israel and 13 members of the United States armed forces. Almost 3,000 have been injured in Israel and over 10,000 in Iran. Around 150 U.S. military personnel have been injured.

Pope Leo also highlighted the fact that countless others have been forced to flee their homes in the region. According to the U.N. agency for refugees, 3.2 million people have been displaced from their homes in Iran since Feb. 28. According to Lebanese and U.N. sources, more than 831,000 Lebanese have been forced by Israel to abandon their homes in southern Lebanon and Beirut.

“I renew my prayerful closeness to all who have lost loved ones in the attacks, which have struck schools, hospitals and residential areas,” Pope Leo said.

While the war in Iran has received international news coverage, the same is not true of the situation in Lebanon (a country of 6 million people), and today Pope Leo sought to throw the spotlight on that country, which he visited at the end of last year. He told those present in St. Peter’s Square and his global audience that “the situation in Lebanon is a cause for great concern” and expressed the hope “that avenues for dialogue will emerge to support the country’s authorities in implementing lasting solutions to the serious crisis currently unfolding, for the common good of all the Lebanese people.”

He reminded the leaders of the countries at war that “violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace for which the peoples are waiting.”

This was the third consecutive Sunday in which Leo has appealed for an end to a war that is now affecting so many countries and people worldwide. Other world leaders, including the U.N. Secretary General, António Guterres, who visited Beirut this past week, have also called for an end to the fighting and the opening of negotiations between the United States, Israel and Iran.

Last Friday, a remark by the pope drew international media attention when, addressing participants in a course for confessors, he emphasized the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation for the combatants. He asked: “Do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to make a serious examination of conscience and to go to confession?” 

Since his remark was clearly not referring to Muslims or Jews, many wondered whether he was alluding to Christian politicians and those in positions of power in the United States.