Pope Leo XIV on Sunday intensified his call for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Iran war, directly appealing to the leaders responsible for the military actions, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to ABC. Speaking at the conclusion of his Sunday noon blessing, the pontiff addressed the devastation caused by recent attacks, including a missile strike on an elementary school in Iran that claimed over 165 lives, many of them children. He stressed that continued violence cannot deliver the justice, stability, or peace awaited by civilians.
In his address, Leo did not explicitly name the United States or Israel, though he referenced the school attack that U.S. officials say likely resulted from outdated intelligence, prompting an ongoing investigation. The Vatican has emphasized the scale of the Minab strike, publishing an aerial image of a mass grave for young victims in the March 6 edition of its official newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, under the headline “The Face of War.”
The pope conveyed his closeness to families affected by strikes targeting schools, hospitals, and residential areas. He also voiced concern for Lebanon, where humanitarian organizations warn of worsening crises. Christian communities in southern Lebanon, historically a cornerstone for Christians in the broader Muslim-majority region, are of particular concern to the Vatican.
Since the start of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign two weeks ago, Pope Leo has largely issued restrained statements urging dialogue and diplomacy, in line with the Vatican’s longstanding policy of neutrality. During a Friday lecture on the sacrament of confession to Vatican priests, he described confession as a “workshop that restores unity and peace,” while questioning whether Christians with responsibility in armed conflicts possess the humility and courage for self-examination.
Although Pope Leo has maintained an indirect approach, some Vatican figures have spoken more directly. Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington described the war as morally indefensible, while Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich criticized the White House for incorporating video game imagery in war-related social media messaging. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin dismissed Washington’s characterization of the conflict as a “preventive war,” but affirmed that the Holy See continues to engage in dialogue with all parties, including the United States and Israel, to present potential solutions.
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