During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV directed the attention of the faithful toward the escalating violence in the Middle East, encouraging Christians to pray fervently for peace and for an end to the suffering caused by war.

Reflecting on the current situation, the Holy Father spoke of the devastation affecting Iran and surrounding regions. He noted that many communities are now living amid destruction, while a climate of hatred and fear has taken root across the area. The Pope also warned that the consequences of the conflict could spread beyond national borders, threatening the stability of neighboring countries. In particular, he expressed concern for Lebanon, a nation with deep Christian roots that has long endured political and social instability.

In response to these troubling developments, Pope Leo called on the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to join together in prayer. He encouraged believers to ask the Lord for an end to the violence and for a path forward that opens the door to dialogue rather than destruction. His appeal emphasized the hope that the sounds of war would give way to silence, allowing space for genuine conversation and for the voices of ordinary people to be heard.

The Holy Father entrusted these intentions to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Queen of Peace. He asked for her maternal intercession on behalf of those suffering because of war and prayed that she might guide hearts away from hostility and toward reconciliation. In placing this plea before the Mother of God, the Pope reminded the faithful that prayer remains a powerful response in moments of crisis, drawing the Church closer to those who endure the pain of conflict.

The Pope’s message also echoed the appeal he made the previous Sunday when he warned that lasting peace cannot be achieved through threats or through the accumulation of weapons. True stability, he explained, must be built through responsible dialogue and sincere efforts toward understanding.

Pope Leo also cautioned that if the current violence continues unchecked, the consequences could become catastrophic. He urged all parties involved to recognize their moral responsibility and to act before the spiral of conflict deepens further. Diplomacy, he emphasized, must reclaim its proper place so that solutions rooted in justice and the common good can emerge.

Throughout his appeal, the Holy Father reminded the faithful that people across the world long for peace. Families and communities desire stability, security, and the opportunity to live together in justice. For this reason, the Church continues to raise her voice in prayer, asking God to soften hearts and guide nations toward reconciliation and lasting peace.