Pope Leo urges end to bombing, calls for dialogue amid Iran, Middle East violence


Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

VATICAN CITY, ⁠March 8 (Reuters) - Pope Leo ⁠said on Sunday that deeply ‌troubling news continued to arrive from Iran and across the Middle East, ​urging an end ⁠to the violence ⁠and renewed efforts to open ⁠space for ‌dialogue.

Speaking at the Angelus prayer in ⁠St. Peter’s Square, the pope said ​the ‌conflict was fuelling fear ⁠and hatred ​and raised concerns that it could spread further, dragging ⁠other countries, including "dear Lebanon".

"Let ​us raise our humble prayer to the Lord that the roar ⁠of bombs may cease, that weapons may fall silent, and that space may be ​opened for ⁠dialogue in which the voices ​of peoples can ‌be heard", Pope Leo ​said.

(Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni, Editing by Louise Heavens)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Pope Leo offers thanks for 'great gift' of Francis, one year on from his death
Taiwan president cancels Eswatini trip, blames Chinese pressure on African countries
Harvey Weinstein's third New York rape trial set for opening statements
Warsh's path to top Fed job entangled ahead of Senate confirmation hearing
Exclusive-Russia to halt Kazakhstan's oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say
Russia has taken 1,700 square km of Ukraine this year, top general says
Ex-official describes pressure from UK PM's office, deepening Mandelson row
EU court says Hungary's anti-LGBTQ rules breach law
Analysis-Mass shooting reignites push to loosen gun laws in war-torn Ukraine
UN agency preparing Hormuz evacuation plan for hundreds of ships

Others Also Read