Pope Leo XIV calls for immediate ceasefire in Iran conflict
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Pope Leo
The Associated Press reported that the pope made the remarks at the end of his consecration ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday, where he called on leaders involved in the conflict to stop fighting and resume dialogue rather than perpetuate military tensions.
“On behalf of Christians and all men and women of good will in the Middle East, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,” Leo said. “Cease fire so that the avenues of dialogue can be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace that the people expect.”
Leo did not name the United States or Israel but appeared to be referring to an attack that hit a school in Iran in the early days of the war, killing more than 165 people, most of them children.
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Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in the war involving Iran. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
US officials said that the attack was based on outdated intelligence and that the investigation into the incident was ongoing.
The pope said he was particularly close to the families of the victims who died in attacks on schools, hospitals and residential areas during the conflict.
He also expressed concern about the impact of the conflict in Lebanon, where aid groups have warned that escalating conflict could trigger a humanitarian crisis.
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This photo from Iran’s ISNA news agency shows the site of an attack on a girls’ school in Minab in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province on February 28, 2026. (Ali Najafi/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Christian communities in southern Lebanon are of particular concern to the Vatican; for these communities have long been seen as an important presence for Christians in a predominantly Muslim region.
For most of the past two weeks since the conflict began, Leo has avoided direct references to the United States or Israel, while limiting his public comments to calls for broader peace and dialogue; this is a stance consistent with the Vatican’s long tradition of diplomatic neutrality.
But some Catholic leaders have taken a more direct stance on the conflict.
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Pope Leo XIV brought his weekly general audience to St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on March 4, 2026. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo)
Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington, called the war morally unjust, while Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich criticized the White House for sharing social media posts containing video game-style images about the war.
Meanwhile, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin rejected Washington’s characterization of the conflict as a “preventive war” but said the Vatican continued to keep lines of communication open with all parties.
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“The Holy See speaks to everyone,” Parolin said. “When necessary, we also talk to the Americans and the Israelis and show them what the solutions are.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
