VATICAN CITY, March 11 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the mounting civilian toll in the conflict involving Iran and conveyed his solidarity with the people of Lebanon, describing the country as undergoing a "great trial." He urged Catholics and other worshippers to pray for peace as violence in the region persisted.
Call For Prayer
Speaking to pilgrims at his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff repeated appeals he has made in recent days for an end to the widening fighting and warned the situation could spiral further out of control.
"Let us continue to pray for peace in Iran, and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children," the pope said, as the war entered its 12th day.
He did not refer to any specific incident involving children during the address.
Minab School Strike
Iran says a girls' school in Minab, in southern Iran, was struck on February 28 during what Tehran described as the first day of U.S. and Israeli attacks on the country. Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said the strike killed 150 students. Reuters could not independently verify that figure.
The U.S. military has opened an investigation into the incident.
Death In Lebanon
The pope also mourned the death of a priest killed on Monday in strikes in southern Lebanon, where Israel has been targeting the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The pope said Rev. Pierre El Rahi was a "true shepherd" who died while attempting to aid parishioners wounded in a strike.
Lebanon has been hit by Israeli strikes as Hezbollah has fired into Israel from Lebanese territory, actions that leaders on both sides say are connected to the wider tensions involving Iran.
Leo visited Lebanon in December as part of his first overseas trip as pope.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; editing by Giulia Segreti and William Maclean)
