Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace After US and Israeli Strikes on Iran and Hezbollah

In Brief

Pope Leo XIV calls for dialogue as US and Israeli forces strike Iran and Hezbollah.

Key Facts

• Pope Leo XIV condemned US and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for 'reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue'.
• Pope Leo XIV issued a warning to President Trump regarding the escalation of violence.
• He urged world leaders to pursue peace and criticized reliance on weapons for resolving conflict.
• Pope Leo XIV warned that continued violence risks plunging the Middle East into an 'irreparable abyss'.
• US and Israeli military operations have targeted over 1,000 Iranian sites, according to reports.

What Happened

Following joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV publicly condemned the attacks and called for renewed dialogue. He warned President Trump and other leaders about the risks of escalating violence and urged an end to the 'spiral of violence.'

Why It Matters

The Pope's statements highlight international concern over the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Calls for peace and dialogue from prominent global figures may influence diplomatic efforts and public opinion amid ongoing military operations and mass evacuations.