Pope Leo calls war in Middle East a 'scandal' to humanity
Pope Leo XIV waves as he leads the Angelus prayer from a window of the Apostolic Palace, at the Vatican on March 22, 2026.
PHOTO: Reuters
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo on Sunday (March 22) said death and suffering caused by the war in the Middle East are a "scandal to the whole human family", renewing his plea for an immediate ceasefire.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the first US pope said that he continues to follow with "dismay" the situation in the Middle East and in other regions torn apart by war and violence.
"We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity," Leo said at his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
"I strongly renew my appeal for us to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace," he added.
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