Pope Leo appealed for an immediate ceasefire and renewed dialogue as violence from the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran intensified. Speaking at the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, he warned the fighting was fueling fear and hatred and risked spreading instability to other countries, including Lebanon. The Vatican's top diplomat also criticised the strikes as undermining international law and rejected "preventive wars."
Pope Leo Urges Ceasefire and Dialogue as Violence Spreads Across Iran and the Middle East
Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, March 8, 2026. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS
VATICAN CITY, March 8 — Pope Leo said on Sunday that deeply troubling reports continue to come from Iran and across the Middle East, urging an immediate end to the violence and renewed efforts to open space for dialogue.
As fighting intensified on the ninth day of the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran, the first U.S. pope warned the conflict was fueling fear and hatred and expressed concern it could spread to other countries in the region.
People attend Angelus prayer led by Pope Leo XIV from the window of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, March 8, 2026. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"Alongside the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear, there is also growing concern that the conflict could spread and that other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, could once again sink into instability," he said at the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
He added: "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."
On Wednesday, the Vatican's top diplomat warned that the U.S.-Israeli strikes undermine international law and said nations do not have a right to launch "preventive wars" — an unusually direct criticism of the military campaign.
(Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni; Editing by Louise Heavens)
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