Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to rising global conflicts, urging world leaders to embrace peace following the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Pope distanced Christianity from acts of war, stressing that true followers of Jesus Christ—whom he described as the “Prince of Peace”—cannot support violence.
“Anyone who is a disciple of Christ… is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” he wrote.
He warned that military action cannot deliver genuine freedom or lasting peace, insisting that such outcomes can only be achieved through dialogue and mutual understanding.
“Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace,” he added, noting that peace comes through “the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
His remarks come in the wake of coordinated airstrikes reportedly carried out by United States and Israel on Iran, targeting key military and nuclear facilities.
The strikes have since escalated tensions in the region, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks, raising fears of a broader conflict.
The Pope’s message adds to growing international calls for restraint, as concerns mount over the potential global consequences of the crisis.
