Pope warns of immense tragedy if Middle East violence escalates

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Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo has issued a heartfelt plea for peace amidst escalating US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Speaking to pilgrims in St Peter's Square during the Angelus on Sunday, he expressed his deep concern over recent events and warned that continued violence risks plunging the Middle East into an "irreparable abyss."

"Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue," he said.

The Pope warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control.

"Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions," he said, "I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!"

Pope Leo prayed that nations may return to dialogue in order to seek peace.

"May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice," he said. "And let us continue to pray for peace."