Pope Leo XIV, since the American-Israeli launch of war against Iran, is making daily prayers or statements, to halt the accompanying “episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear,” that have ensued.
It appears that Pope Leo has made a personal decision for a dedicated mission to mobilize the Catholic Church, and to awaken the moral conscience of the world. In service of this, he is joined by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Sisters of the Church.
At the Sunday Angelus in St. Peters Square on March 8, Pope Leo said,
“Dear brothers and sisters,
“News continues to arrive from Iran and from the whole Middle East that causes deep concern. In addition to the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear, there is the fear that the conflict will spread and that other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, may sink again into instability. We raise our humble prayer to the Lord that the clamor of bombs may cease. That weapons may fall silent, and that a space for dialogue may open up in which the voice of the people can be heard.”
On March 5, the Vatican released a video of Pope Leo calling for world leaders to “abandon the projects of death,” and to summon the courage to seek peace and disarmament.
