Pope Leo XIV issued a powerful plea for peace on Sunday, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. His remarks, delivered after his Sunday noon blessing at the Vatican, marked his most forceful statement yet on the matter. The Pope urged the leaders embroiled in the conflict to stop the violence, particularly after recent deadly attacks on schools and civilian areas.

In his appeal, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of dialogue over military action. “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,” he said. “Cease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for.”

The Associated Press reported that the Pope’s message was a direct call to action for those involved in the fighting, though he did not explicitly name any countries such as the U.S. or Israel. His comments seemed to indirectly reference a tragic incident at the start of the conflict—a strike on an Iranian school that resulted in the deaths of over 165 individuals, many of whom were children.

U.S. officials have acknowledged the possibility that the strike was conducted based on outdated intelligence. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack is currently underway, as international scrutiny intensifies.

Pope Leo XIV’s heartfelt appeal underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, reflecting his steadfast commitment to advocating for peace and justice in the region.

U.S. officials said the strike may have been based on outdated intelligence, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The pope said he was particularly close to the families of victims killed in attacks that have struck schools, hospitals and residential areas during the conflict.

He also expressed concern about the impact of the fighting in Lebanon, where aid groups have warned the escalating conflict could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

This picture obtained from Iran’s ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike on a girls’ school in Minab, in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, on Feb. 28, 2026. (Ali Najafi/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Christian communities in southern Lebanon are of particular concern to the Vatican, as they have long been seen as an important presence for Christians across a largely Muslim region.

For much of the two weeks since the conflict began, Leo has limited his public comments to broader appeals for peace and dialogue while avoiding direct references to the U.S. or Israel – a stance consistent with the Vatican’s longstanding tradition of diplomatic neutrality.

Some Catholic leaders, however, have taken a more direct stance on the conflict.

Pope Leo XIV arrives to hold his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican on March 4, 2026. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo)

Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, described the war as morally unjustifiable, while Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich criticized the White House for sharing social media posts about the war that included video game-style imagery.

Meanwhile, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin rejected Washington’s characterization of the fighting as a “preventive war,” but said the Holy See continues to keep lines of communication open with all sides.

“The Holy See speaks with everyone,” Parolin said. “When necessary we speak also with the Americans, with the Israelis and show them what to us are the solutions.”