Pope Leo appeals for 'reason' amid deepening Israel-Iran conflict
"The commitment to building a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue," Leo said.
- Israel attacked Iran early on June 13, targeting commanders, military targets and nuclear sites in what it called a "preemptive strike" to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
- Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who often spoke off the cuff, Leo is more cautious and speaks from a prepared text.
VATICAN CITY − Pope Leo appealed for Iran and Israel to act with "reason" after airstrikes between the two countries killed dozens and sent civilians into shelters, and he called on the nations to pursue dialogue.
Leo, in one of the strongest peace appeals yet of his five-week papacy, told an audience in St. Peter's Basilica he was following the situation with "great concern."
"In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason," said the pope.
"The commitment to building a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good," he said.
"No one should ever threaten the existence of another," said Leo. "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."
Leo was elected on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis and is the first pope from the United States. Unlike Francis, who often spoke off the cuff at public events, Leo is more cautious with words and almost always speaks from a prepared text.
The pope read aloud his appeal on Saturday in Italian from a piece of paper.
Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran early on June 13, targeting commanders, military targets and nuclear sites in what it called a "preemptive strike" to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program.
Iran, which denies that its uranium enrichment activities are part of a secret weapons programme, retaliated by launching waves of missiles at Israel, killing at least two people and injuring dozens.