Pope Leo Appeals for ‘Reason’ Amid Israel–Iran Airstrikes, Urges Dialogue

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Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo has issued a strong appeal for “reason and responsibility” from both Israel and Iran on Saturday, 14 June 2025, following a series of retaliatory airstrikes between the two countries that have claimed dozens of lives and forced civilians into shelters.

In one of the most forceful peace calls of his five-week papacy, the pontiff urged both nations to prioritise dialogue over conflict. Addressing the faithful in St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo said he was following the escalating situation with “great concern”.

“In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason,” he declared.

“The commitment to building a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue, in order to construct a lasting peace based on justice, fraternity, and the common good,” he added.

“No one should ever threaten the existence of another. It is the duty of all nations to uphold the cause of peace by initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.”

Pope Leo, who was elected on 8 May to succeed the late Pope Francis, is the first pontiff from the United States. In contrast to his predecessor—who often spoke extemporaneously—Pope Leo has so far taken a more cautious and deliberate approach, typically delivering carefully prepared remarks.

On Saturday, the pope read his appeal in Italian from a written text.

The statement came after Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran early on Friday, targeting senior commanders, nuclear facilities, and other military infrastructure. The Israeli government described the offensive as a “pre-emptive strike” aimed at halting Iran’s alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Iran, which insists its uranium enrichment activities are solely for civilian purposes, retaliated by firing a wave of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, killing at least two people and injuring dozens more.



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