Pope Leo XIV has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict as Israel and Iran continue to trade blows and the death toll across the region mounts.
“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: cease fire,” Leo said today after the Sunday Angelus prayer in Vatican City.
The first American pontiff said people in the region have been “suffering the horrific violence of war” for the past two weeks since the conflict broke out.
Leo added that “violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace that the people are waiting for.”
