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".

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