Pope Leo issued a heartfelt plea on Saturday, calling on Iran and Israel to act with “reason” and seek peaceful dialogue following a wave of retaliatory airstrikes between the two nations.
Speaking from St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff expressed “great concern” over the escalating violence and emphasized the urgent need for diplomacy over destruction.
“In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason,” Pope Leo said, stressing that only through “respectful encounters and sincere dialogue” can the world move toward lasting peace and security.
He underscored the importance of eliminating nuclear threats and building a global culture rooted in justice, fraternity, and the common good. “No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” he added, urging all nations to support reconciliation and uphold the dignity and safety of all people.