Pope Leo took up today the Saturday public audiences that Francis had started for the Jubilee, and used the opportunity to make an appeal for peace regarding the conflict between Iran and Israel.
He called the news coming from the situation a "cause for great concern."
"The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated, and at such a complex moment I wish to forcefully renew my appeal to responsibility and reason," he said.
The Holy Father went on to encourage dialogue and peace based on justice:
The commitment to build a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounter and sincere dialogue, in order to build a lasting peace based on justice, fraternity, and the common good. No one should ever threaten the existence of another. It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, embarking on paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.
Israel's attack on Iran is the most serious the country has suffered since the war with Iraq between 1980 and 1988.
Holy See
The Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with both Israel and Iran and has always been careful to avoid isolating the Islamic Republic of Iran on the international stage.
The Apostolic Nuncio was one of the few diplomats to remain in office during the regime change in 1979. He was thus able to visit diplomats at the United States Embassy, who were being held hostage by the new government's militias.
In more recent years, Pope Francis has had several contacts with Iranian leaders, including receiving then-President Hassan Rouhani on January 26, 2016, who came to the Vatican as part of his first international trip following the Iranian nuclear deal signed in 2015 with the support of then-US President Barack Obama, but which his successor Donald Trump opposed.
Belgian Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, surprisingly became Iran's first cardinal in December 2024. He participated in the recent conclave that led to the election of Pope Leo XIV, and met with the new pope in a private audience on June 2.
