In a forceful appeal for peace, Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. His plea, the most emphatic yet, called upon those in power to end the violence following devastating strikes that have tragically impacted schools and civilian regions.

Speaking to the faithful gathered at the Vatican for his Sunday noon blessing, Pope Leo implored the conflicting parties to lay down arms and embrace dialogue over further military aggression. This call to action was reported by the Associated Press, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

“In the name of the Christians of the Middle East and all people of goodwill, I urge those responsible for this war: cease fire and reopen paths to negotiation,” the Pope declared. “Violence will never achieve the justice, stability, and peace that the populace yearns for.”

While Pope Leo did not directly mention the United States or Israel, his words seemed to allude to a tragic incident early in the conflict—a school in Iran was struck, resulting in the loss of over 165 lives, many of whom were children.

According to US officials, the attack may have been executed based on outdated intelligence, and a thorough investigation is currently in progress to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the event.

Expressing his heartfelt solidarity, Pope Leo emphasized his compassion for the families affected by the attacks, which have targeted schools, hospitals, and residential areas, leaving behind a trail of devastation and grief.

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.

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 US 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.

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.”