Catholic leaders in the Gulf urged calm, prayer, and strict adherence to civil authorities as military exchanges between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified and widened across the Middle East.
In a Feb. 28 letter, Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, acknowledged growing anxiety in the region and appealed to the faithful to remain composed.
“We are all concern of the situation in the Middle East about the developments,” Martinelli said. He urged Catholics “to remain calm and serene” and to “carefully follow all instructions given by our civil authorities.”
He asked parishes to intensify prayers for peace, inviting the faithful to pray the rosary daily and to include intentions for “peace and security of all people in this region” during Masses.
Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., apostolic vicar of Northern Arabia, issued similar guidance, describing the moment as one of uncertainty and calling for vigilance.
“In this time of uncertainty, I ask all the faithful of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia to remain calm, united in prayer, and attentive to the safety of everyone,” Berardi said.
He instructed Catholics to follow civil authorities and take precautions in homes, workplaces, and parishes.
Berardi also directed parish priests and rectors to act “with prudence and responsibility” to safeguard those entrusted to their care, especially the elderly, the sick, and the vulnerable.
In the Philippines, church leaders echoed the call for solidarity and prayer. The Diocese of Antipolo said the “recent developments have intensified the Middle East crisis, with the United States and Israel launching large-scale military operations against Iran.”
It warned that the escalation “places countless civilian lives at risk” and “threatens not only the stability of the Middle East but also the peace of the world.”
The statement addressed Filipinos in the region, assuring them: “We hold you close in our prayers.”
The Archdiocese of Manila instructed parishes to include petitions “for peace in the Middle East and the world” in the Prayer of the Faithful, praying that God “purify the world of all violence, greed, and misuse of power that bring suffering and death to many.”
Caritas Internationalis issued a strong condemnation of the attacks and retaliatory strikes.
“Caritas unequivocally condemns the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran on Saturday, in which they claim to have dropped over 1,200 bombs, and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel and several other countries in the region,” the confederation said.
It warned that such actions “increase the tension, violence and instability in the region” and constitute violations of human dignity and international law.
Caritas urged all parties “to step back from the brink immediately,” refrain from further military action, and protect civilians without exception.
In his Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV appealed for restraint and renewed diplomacy.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm,” the pope said, urging that “diplomacy regain its proper role.”
The World Council of Churches also expressed alarm, voicing “grave concern and condemnation” over the attacks and subsequent escalation.
It called for “An immediate cessation of all military actions” and renewed diplomatic engagement, warning that the “dangerous spiral of violence” places millions of civilians at risk and threatens regional stability.
