Pope appeals for ceasefire in Middle East war

Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV has appealed for a ceasefire in the Middle East and called for paths of dialogue. Speaking after the Angelus with pilgrims in St Peter's Square, he addressed those responsible for the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, and said "in the name of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill: Cease the fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened!"

"Violence can never lead to the justice, the stability and the peace that peoples are awaiting," he said, noting that "the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the atrocious violence of war" for two weeks.

"Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and many others have been forced to abandon their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all those who have lost their loved ones in the attacks that have struck schools, hospitals, and residential areas," he added.

Pope Leo also expressed great concern for the situation in Lebanon, saying: "I hope for paths of dialogue that can support the country's authorities in implementing lasting solutions to the serious crisis underway, for the common good of all the Lebanese people."

Earlier, in his address before the Angelus Pope reflected on the day's Gospel, which recounts Jesus' healing of a man who was born blind (Jn 9:1-41).

The mystery of salvation is revealed in this event, he said, since the Son of God came to open our eyes as humanity dwelt in darkness.

Just like the man in the Gospel, we too were "born blind" to the mystery of life, which far surpasses our ability to understand its depth. "That is why God became flesh in Jesus," he said, "so that the clay of our humanity, shaped by the breath of His grace, might receive a new light, one capable of helping us to see ourselves, others, and God in truth."

Pope Leo recalled the saying that faith is like a "leap in the dark," which implies that faith really means closing our eyes and believing "blindly." Rather, he said, our contact with Christ and His love opens our eyes in a way they have never seen before.

"Faith is not a blind act, a forsaking of reason or a retreat into some sort of religious certainty that causes us to turn our gaze away from the world," he said. "On the contrary, faith helps us to see things 'as Jesus Himself sees them, with His own eyes'."

The Pope invited Christians to open our eyes so that we can see the sufferings of others and the afflictions that wound humanity.

As violence permeates our world, Christians must bear witness to an "alert, attentive, and prophetic" faith, even in the face of the injustice, violence, and suffering around us.

"It should open our eyes to the darkness of the world," he said, "and bring to others the light of the Gospel through our commitment to peace, justice and solidarity."

In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mary may intercede so that Christ may open our hearts and help us bear witness to Him in simplicity and courage.

LINKS

Read the full texts here: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/03/15/0202/00388.html

Watch the Angelus on the VaticanYoutube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHCPMCwcWG8