Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” about Iran and the Middle East in general, calling for an end to the “spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”
During a speech to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square after the Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff stated that “stability and peace cannot be built through mutual threats or weapons, which sow destruction, pain and death, but only through reasonable, authentic and responsible dialogue.”
Pope Leo added that he appealed to the parties involved to cease the violence, warning of the “possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions”.
What is happening?
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has begun “major combat operations in Iran”, promising to annihilate the country’s military and destroy its nuclear program.
In an eight-minute video published on the Truth Social network, Trump accuses Iran of rejecting “all opportunities to renounce its nuclear ambitions” and stated that the US “can’t take it anymore”. Israel too.
Unlike the last time the US and Israel attacked Iran, in June 2025, these attacks began in broad daylight, in the early hours of Saturday (28) – the first day of the week in Iran – while millions of people were going to work or study.
And while the American attacks in June ended within hours, sources told CNN International that this time, the US military is planning attacks over several days.
A CNN International had previously reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was one of the targets of the first wave of attacks against Iran, along with other top leaders.
This Sunday (1st), Iranian state media confirmed that, causing celebration among Iranians who opposed their government and fury among the regime’s supporters.
In response, the Iranian regime launched one across the Middle East, with explosions heard in several countries that host American military bases, including: the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq.
