Pope Leo XIV appeals to "responsibility and reason” on Middle East escalation

At the end of today's jubilee audience, Leo XIV spoke of the “deteriorating” situation between Iran and Israel. The commitment to “a safer world free from the nuclear threat” must be pursued through “sincere dialogue” and “respectful encounter” in order to achieve lasting peace. “No one should ever threaten the existence of another”.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - “News that causes great concern”. At the end of today's jubilee audience, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the escalation currently gripping the Middle East, triggered by Israel's attack on Iran as part of Operation Rising Lion, launched on the night between 12 and 13 June, which caused at least 79 deaths and over 300 injuries.

‘The situation has seriously deteriorated,’ the pontiff continued. In the last few hours, Tehran has responded to the offensive targeting Iran's nuclear programme and military leaders. At such a ‘delicate’ moment, the Pope “strongly” shared an appeal for ‘responsibility and reason,’ he said.

‘The commitment to build a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounter and sincere dialogue,’ he added.

This was in reference to the recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which stated that Iran is not complying with its obligations on nuclear development.

This has raised concerns about the possible development of a weapon. Moreover, the breakdown of talks between Iran and the United States (now accused of complicity with Israel) on the issue, which have so far failed to produce significant results.

A return to ‘sincere dialogue,’ Pope Leo XIV said this morning, is essential to build ‘lasting peace based on justice, fraternity and the common good.’ He did so in front of about 6,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for Saturday's jubilee event.

‘No one should ever threaten the existence of another,’ Prevost said. ‘It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.’

Speaking in his catechesis about the life experience of Bishop and theologian Irenaeus of Lyon, ‘teacher of unity’ among the early Christian communities, he said that he ‘teaches us not to oppose, but to connect.’

"Intelligence is not found where there is separation, but where there is connection. Distinguishing is useful, but dividing is never useful. Jesus is eternal life among us: he brings opposites together and makes communion possible,‘ said Pope Leo XIV.

Jesus Christ is an example of that ’lasting peace‘ that comes from dialogue and encounter. Irenaeus of Lyon recognised ’that in Him what seems to us to be opposed is recomposed in unity."

The bishop, with his arrival on the European continent to join one of the first Christian communities, connected ‘East and West,’ explained the Pope. He represents a model of ‘hope.’

In ‘a world in pieces,’ he drew attention to Jesus. The Messiah ‘is not a wall that separates, but a door that unites us. We must remain in him and distinguish reality from ideologies,’ added the pontiff.

‘Like Irenaeus in Lyon in the second century, so in each of our cities we return to building bridges where today there are walls,’ he concluded. ‘Let us open doors, connect worlds, and there will be hope.’