Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, urging those responsible for the conflict to halt the violence and reopen dialogue as civilian casualties and displacement mount across the region.
“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East, and of all women and men of goodwill, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: cease fire!” the pope said. “May paths of dialogue be reopened!”
The appeal came in remarks after the Angelus prayer on March 15 in St. Peter’s Square.
“For two weeks now, the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the horrific violence of war,” he said. “Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes.”
The pontiff also expressed “prayerful closeness” with families who have lost loved ones in attacks on civilian areas.
Leo XIV voiced particular concern over the situation in Lebanon and expressed hope that dialogue could help resolve the crisis.
“I hope that avenues for dialogue will emerge to support the country’s Authorities in implementing lasting solutions to the serious crisis currently unfolding, for the common good of all the Lebanese people,” he said.
The pope warned that violence cannot bring the peace and stability people in the region seek.
Earlier in his reflection before the Angelus prayer, the pope spoke about the Gospel account of the healing of a man blind from birth, saying faith should help believers recognize the suffering of others and respond with compassion.
“Faith is not a blind act, a forsaking of reason or a retreat into some sort of religious certainty that causes us to turn our gaze away from the world,” he said.
“In this sense, faith is an invitation to ‘open our eyes,’ as the Lord did, especially towards the suffering of others and the afflictions of the world.”
The pope concluded by asking the Virgin Mary to guide believers in bearing witness to Christ. “Let us ask the Virgin Mary to intercede for us, so that the light of Christ may open the eyes of our hearts and enable us to bear witness to him with simplicity and courage.”
