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Pope Leo XIV voiced concern on Sunday about developments in the Middle East and Iran, urging the parties involved to stop what he called a “spiral of violence” before it becomes an “irreparable abyss.”
“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” the pope said March 1. He appealed for diplomacy to “recover its role” and for the common good of peoples who long for peaceful coexistence “founded on justice.”
The pontiff added: “Let us continue to pray for peace.”
Leo also appealed for peace in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling for an urgent return to dialogue. He asked Catholics to pray that concord may prevail in conflicts around the world, saying: “Only peace, a gift of God, can heal the wounds between peoples.”
The pope also said he was close to the people of Brazil’s state of Minas Gerais following severe flooding, offering prayers for victims, families who have lost their homes, and those engaged in rescue operations.
Earlier, before reciting the Angelus, the pope reflected on Sunday’s Gospel account of the Transfiguration, describing Christ as the living wisdom who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. He said the Transfiguration anticipates the light of Easter—death and resurrection, darkness and new light—shining, he said, upon bodies “scourged by violence,” “crucified by suffering,” and “abandoned in misery.”
Pope Leo said that the Lord “transfigures the wounds of history,” illuminating minds and hearts with a surprising revelation of salvation. He added that grasping this mystery requires time: time of silence to listen to the Word, and time of conversion to savor the Lord’s companionship.
This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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POPE LEO XVI:
Attempts at diplomacy were tried endlessly. The only option left was to rid Iran of leaders who were murdering their citizens by the tens of thousands. The situation in Iran is no different from that we faced with Hitler’s Germany.
Pope Leo, just stay out of it. This is not your area of expertise. Let me remind you that your expertise is ECCLESIOLOGY!
Pope John Paul II urged W Bush to not invade Iraq. He was right.
He might have been right (even a broken clock is right once every day) but it was none of his business to get involved in politics. The Pope, as with all clergy, operates within the authority of mission of the Church. Clergy should leave the arena of politics to the LAITY of the Church. Please dont try playing the JPII card; it won’t get you out of jail.
Deacon,
You are absolutely right. I love Pope Leo, but so many Popes and clergy are extremely naive. They presume that humans are naturally good and will do the right thing. They seem to forget about the effects of original sin. How do you dialogue with tyrants? Think of PM Chamberlain who dialogued with Hitler and called him a lovely man. The next day, Hitler invaded Poland. Unfortunately, sometimes strength is the only way to get rid of tyrants. God grant us peace.
The pontiff added: “Let us continue to pray for peace.”
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Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.
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Lo these many years, the Church has prayed for peace, but not the conversion of Muslims to Christianity.
It’s expected that a Roman pontiff would call for negotiation rather than war and continued war, as with Iran. Nevertheless, pontiffs should recall that Popes also call for Crusades to save Christian heritage from Islam.
Call it what you will, Shia Islam teaches in comparative likeness to Christianity the expectation of a Messiah. Muhammad al-Mahdi. The 12th and final Imam, who will bring peace to the world – which means the conversion of the world to Islam. Iranian Shia have expressed the belief that Iran should initiate a global war to anticipate the 12th Mahdi’s arrival.
President Trump may by the work of providence be preventing Iran from acquiring the nuclear capacity and delivery system to initiate a global catastrophe.
My husband came home from a men’s breakfast. The topic of conversation was the Good Samaritan; a story we’ve heard many times before. It is a good story with important lessons. But it is a very well-known story and has been so deeply imbedded in our culture we have “Good Samaritan” laws to try to keep “Good Samaritans” from being unjustly sued if things go wrong (as they are wont to do in emergency situations).
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It occurred to me Christianity really doesn’t have much of a theology of when to throw a punch or when to stop being charitable. Yes, we have just war theory, but I am not sure that is applicable for every situation of aggression. When is one allowed to stop turning the other check and defend oneself. When is one permitted to stop giving alms when people time and again abuse the charity?
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I have no answer for this, other then, never.
Pope JP2 was right.
Pope Leo is wrong. Be should focus his attention to his duty of governing our outlaw clerisy elites, and refrain from counseling negotiations with the homicidal, bloodthirsty Islamic Jihad of the Khamenei Regimists, and INSTEAD urge Catholics to pray that the people of Iran can overthrow the murderers who terrorize their own citizens.
“Pope Leo urges diplomacy amid Iran tensions.”
I can’t help but contrast this with Pope Pius V in 1571 who helped organize and finance the Holy League fleet to attack the invading Muslim fleet at Lepanto. Pope Pius did not urge diplomacy but rather prayed for victory and prayed in thanksgiving when victory was won.
Well, those days are over.