Pope: ‘Open to dialogue, listen to the voice of the people in the Middle East’

Leo XIV returned to the war in Iran and other countries during the Angelus: “Let the noise of bombs cease.” Prayer to Mary for “those who suffer because of war.” On International Women's Day: “Commitment to equal dignity between men and women based on the Gospel.” Commentary on the Gospel: “This is not the time for confrontation.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - “Let the roar of bombs cease, let weapons fall silent, and let a space for dialogue open up, in which the voice of the people can be heard.” This morning, after the Angelus, in front of 15,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV launched an urgent appeal, following “news that causes deep consternation” coming from Iran and the Middle East. “Let us raise our humble prayer to the Lord,” he said.

The pontiff expressed concern about the “episodes of violence and devastation, and the widespread climate of hatred and fear,” compounded by “the fear that the conflict will spread, and other countries in the region, including dear Lebanon, may sink back into instability.” Prevost entrusted the plea “to Mary, Queen of Peace: may she intercede for those who suffer because of war and accompany hearts along paths of reconciliation and hope.”

Today, March 8, the third Sunday of Lent, is International Women's Day. Again after the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV recalled this: “Let us renew our commitment, which for us Christians is based on the Gospel, to the recognition of the equal dignity of men and women.” He mentioned the systemic discrimination that affects women in all societies. “Unfortunately, many women, from childhood onwards, are still discriminated against and suffer various forms of violence: my solidarity and my prayers go out to them in a special way,” were the words of the pontiff.

Before reciting the Marian prayer, the Pope commented on the Gospel of the day (Jn 4:5-42). It is a great Gospel passage written by the evangelist: the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. From it we understand that “Jesus, in fact, is God's answer to our thirst.”

“How many people, throughout the world, are still searching for this spiritual source today!” he added. “There is no energy better spent than that which we devote to freeing our hearts.”

The Pope explained that, according to the customs of the time, Jesus should have simply ignored the Samaritan woman. Instead, “he speaks to her, listens to her, gives her credit without ulterior motives and without contempt.” “Where we see nothing, Grace is already at work and the fruits are ready to be harvested. The harvest is plentiful: perhaps the workers are few, [...] Jesus, however, is attentive,” he added.

“How many people seek this same sensitivity, this availability in the Church! And how beautiful it is when we lose track of time to give attention to those we meet, just as they are,” said Prevost. “Jesus even forgot to eat, so much did God’s will to reach everyone deeply nourish him. Thus, the Samaritan woman becomes the first of many evangelizers. From her village of despised and rejected people, many, because of her witness, come to meet Jesus, and faith springs forth in them like pure water.”

Pope Leo concluded by addressing Mary: “Today, we ask to be able to serve, with Jesus and like Jesus, humanity thirsting for truth and justice. This is not the time for opposition between one temple and another, between ‘us’ and ‘them’: the worshippers God seeks are men and women of peace, who worship him in Spirit and truth.”