Speaking this morning during an Audience for the Jubilee of Sport at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV reported he was gravely concerned over the conflict between Israel and Iran that escalated after Israel launched its massive “Rising Lion” attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and scientists as well as on its military command structure in the early morning of June 13, and Iran subsequently retaliated with missile and drone attacks that did significant damage to Tel Aviv.
According to Vatican News the Pope warned that the “situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated, and at such a delicate moment, I wish to strongly renew an appeal to responsibility and reason…. No one should ever threaten another’s existence.” Pope Leo stressed the need for a “commitment to building a safer world, free from the nuclear threat,” which he said must be pursued “through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue, in order to build a lasting peace founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good.” Moreover, he said, “It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace by initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.”
Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Teheran-Isfahan of the Latins, expressed similar concerns in comments to AsiaNews, also reported by Vatican News. “It is with regret that we observe in these last few hours, once again, that peace is sought through preventive attacks instead of committing to dialogue around the negotiating table,” he said. “We pray that peace through dialogue based on a consensus will prevail. May the Holy Spirit guide this process.” Amidst intense regional and global tensions, the Archbishop warned that military escalation risks dragging the entire Middle East into a devastating conflict.
