Video Pope Leon watches with “great concern” the Israel-Iran conflict and appeals to peace and reason

Pope Leon asked the authorities in Iran and Israel on Saturday to act with “reason”, urging the nations to continue the dialogue, after the air attacks between the two countries killed dozens of people and sent civilians in shelters, Reuters reports, according to News.ro.

In one of the strongest peace calls of the five weeks of papacy, Leon told the audience in Saint Peter's basil that he was following the situation with “great concern”.

“At such a delicate moment, I strongly want to renew the appeal to responsibility and reason,” said Pope.

“The commitment to build a safer world, free from nuclear threat, must be followed by respectful meetings and sincere dialogue, to build a sustainable peace, founded on justice, fraternity and common good,” he said.

“No one should threaten someone else's existence,” added Pope Leon. “It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all,” the Pontifical Sovereign pointed out.

Pope Leon was chosen on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis and is the first pope in the United States. Unlike Francis, who often spoke spontaneously at public events, Leon is more prudent and almost always speaks from a text prepared beforehand.

The Pope read on Saturday loud his call, in Italian, from a sheet of paper.

Pope Leo Appeals for Peace Between Israel and Iran:

“In recent days, news is arriving that causes great concern. The situation in Iran and Israel Has Serious Damaged. In such the delicate moment, I wish to renew my appeal to responsibility and reason. The Commitment to… pic.twitter.com/j3opx7prne

– Vatican News (@vaticannews) June 14, 2025

Israel launched a large attack on Iran on Friday morning, targeting commanders, military targets and nuclear installations, in what he called a “preventive blow” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear arming program. Iran, who denies that his uranium enrichment activities are part of a secret armament program, has responded by launching rocket waves, killing at least two people and hurting other tens.