Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in the war involving Iran. He made his strongest comments yet on the conflict, urging leaders responsible for the fighting to stop violence after deadly attacks that hit schools and civilian areas.
The Associated Press reported that the pope made the comments at the end of his Sunday afternoon blessing at the Vatican, where he appealed to leaders involved in the conflict to stop fighting and continue dialogue rather than continuing military escalation.
“On behalf of Christians in the Middle East and all women and men of goodwill, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,” Leo said. “Ceasefire so that the avenues for dialogue can be reopened. Violence can never bring the justice, stability and peace that people are waiting for.”
Leo did not mention the US or Israel by name, although he appeared to be referring to an attack in the early days of the war that hit a school in Iran and killed more than 165 people, including many children.
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Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in the war involving Iran. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. officials said the attack may have been based on outdated information and that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.
The pope said he was particularly close to the families of those killed in attacks on 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.
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This photo obtained from Iran’s ISNA news agency shows the site of a strike at a girls’ school in Minab, southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. (Ali Najafi/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Christian communities in southern Lebanon are of particular interest to the Vatican because they have long been seen as an important presence for Christians in a largely Muslim region.
For much of the two weeks since the conflict began, Leo has limited his public comments to broader calls for peace and dialogue, while avoiding direct references to the US or Israel – a position consistent with the Vatican’s long-standing tradition of diplomatic neutrality.
However, some Catholic leaders have taken a more direct stance on the conflict.
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Pope Leo (Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo)
Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, described the war as morally unjustifiable, while Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago criticized the White House for sharing social media posts about the war with video game-style footage.
Meanwhile, Vatican Foreign Minister 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.
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“The Holy See speaks to everyone,” Parolin said. “When necessary, we also speak with the Americans, with the Israelis and show them what the solutions are for us.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
