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Arab-Israeli conflicts

Pope Urges Warring Sides in Israel-Iran War to Choose Dialogue and Diplomacy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with Christians in the Middle East and urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to reject the logic of bullying and revenge, and to choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy to reach peace. Speaking at his weekly Wednesday general audience, the American pope cited the biblical exhortation "A national shall not raise the sword against another nation" and called for a ceasefire in the 12-day conflict. He also expressed solidarity with the victims of a recent attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, and urged the international community to continue supporting Syrian reconciliation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pope Leo XIV urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to reject the logic of bullying and revenge and choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy.
  • The pope cited the biblical exhortation "A national shall not raise the sword against another nation" and called for a ceasefire in the 12-day conflict.
  • A ceasefire is holding in the Iran-Israel conflict, which involved Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and the U.S. intervening by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites.
  • Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.
  • The pope expressed solidarity with the victims of a recent attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, which killed at least 25 people.
  • The pope urged the international community to continue supporting Syrian reconciliation.
  • The pope also expressed solidarity with Christians in the Middle East, stating "I am near you. All the church is close to you."

Statistics:

  • 12 days of conflict between Israel and Iran
  • At least 25 people killed in the attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria
  • Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful
  • The United States has intervened in the conflict by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites

Sources:

  • The Associated Press (AP news wire)
  • The Conversation US
  • Lilly Endowment Inc.

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