Overview
- Speaking after the March 22 Angelus from the Apostolic Palace, Pope León XIV addressed pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square with some of his strongest language to date.
- He called the wars a “shame for all humanity” and “a clamor to God,” insisting that “we cannot remain silent” about defenseless victims.
- The pontiff urged perseverance in prayer, an end to hostilities, and steps toward peace grounded in sincere dialogue and respect for every person’s dignity.
- He avoided naming any parties to the conflict, maintaining the Holy See’s neutral posture, as his remarks were widely shared, including via the official Pontifex_es account.
- His appeal came against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions reported by outlets, including strikes tied to the United States and Israel against Iran and threats to energy infrastructure, and he also greeted Rome Marathon athletes as a sign of hope.