Pope Leo XIV recently issued a plea for peace to all sides grappling with the volatile Israel-Iran battle. During his public address every Wednesday, the pontiff urged those involved to abandon the mentality of ‘might makes right’ and abandon pursuits of vengeance, opting instead for dialogue and diplomatic solutions aimed at achieving tranquillity. His words come as an echo of his continuous support for all Christians residing in the tumultuous Middle East.
The Holy Father expressed his cautious optimism as he followed the current developments in the war closely, hoping for peaceful outcomes. He referenced a profound principle from the scriptures, stating, ‘A nation shall not lift the sword against another nation.’ This strong statement underpins the Pope’s message of peace and the end of violence between nations.
A halt in the aggression, now lasting 12 days, has momentarily calmed the Israel-Iran conflict, wherein Israel had been aggressively targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The United States also took part in the clashes, implementing the use of bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites.
However, Iran has consistently claimed that the purpose of its nuclear program is non-aggressive, siding with peaceable initiatives. As amidst the watchful eyes and wary minds, the ceasefire continues to hold, signifying a flicker of hope in an otherwise troublesome situation.
Pope Leo XIV then emphasized the necessity of restoration following the tumultuous period of bloodshed. He entreated all parties involved to mend the deep wounds caused by the violent events of the recent past, reject any form of domination or retaliatory mindsets.
The pontiff highlighted that the journey towards stability will require choosing fortitude and embracing strategies that prioritize dialogue, diplomacy, and peace above all. By emphasizing these paths to resolution, he underlined that a sustainable answer to aggression can only come from engaging in peaceful discussions and negotiations.
In addition, he extended his feelings of unity with those affected by a devastating assault on a Greek Orthodox church located in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The Pope called upon the global community to continuously provide support for Syrian reconciliation efforts thereby championing world peace.
The assault targeted the sacred Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus, tragically resulting in the death of at least 25 individuals. This horrifying occurrence underlines the significance of continued attention and support to the region in need.
In a specially addressed message to the Christians residing in the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV expressed his profound nearness and solidarity with them. He further assured them that the entire church stands with them through their trials and tribulations.
The Pope expressed that the tragic incident at the Church of the Holy Cross is a stark reminder of the dire fragility gripping Syria even after enduring several years of conflict and unrest. Hence, the international commitment to peace and reconciliation in Syria becomes indispensable.
The pontiff emphasized that it is not just Syria’s responsibility but the collective duty of the world. The international community must not turn a blind eye to a country that continues to face severe instability.
He urged the nations worldwide to continue extending their support to Syria and expressed the importance of displaying gestures of solidarity to help the war-ravaged country. Showing compassion to the affected can signify a powerful commitment towards unity, healing, and peace.
Moreover, he asserted that a renewed commitment to promote peace and enable reconciliation is necessary more than ever before. Only then, Syria can gradually recover from its ongoing instability and step forward to a brighter and peaceful future.
Towards this objective, the Pope called for robust action. Citing peace as the only resolution to conflicts, he encouraged nations and individuals to show goodwill and work towards restoring stability in areas of unrest, particularly in the Middle East.
With these words, Pope Leo XIV spoke not just to the participants of the conflict but to the entire world. He reaffirmed the shared responsibility of everyone to support peace efforts and seek solutions through dialogue, not destruction.
In conclusion, the Pope’s address served as a powerful call to action for the international community. Emphasizing that all nations have a shared responsibility to foster peace and support the wounded countries, his message serves as a beacon of hope in these testing times.
The post Pope Leo XIV Appeals for Middle East Peace Amid Israel-Iran Conflict appeared first on Real News Now.
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