Pope Leo urged dialogue and encounter amid renewed suffering of innocent people, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East.
After leading the midday Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XVI lamented that the "winds of war are blowing again" and urged us to keep the "flame of hope and peace" alive, despite the violence and death.
The Pope's comments as Iran and the United States have resumed strikes in these days, bringing an end to the already fragile ceasefire. Russia and Ukraine have also exchanged particularly deadly attacks.
The Holy Father spoke of hope for dialogue, encounter, and diplomacy. This is what he said:
Unfortunately, the winds of war are blowing once again in the Middle East, in Ukraine, and in many other parts of the world, sowing violence, terror and death, and once again affecting many innocent people. Let us not allow these winds to extinguish the flame of hope and peace, even when it seems fragile and flickering.
I renew my hope that we will persevere on the path of dialogue, encounter, and diplomacy. This is the only path capable of leading to a just and lasting peace, in which peoples can live in reconciliation, mutual security, and respect for the dignity of every person.
