Overview
- Pope Leo led a Saturday prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica where he cried, “Stop! It is time for peace,” as U.S. and Iranian officials held face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan during a two-week ceasefire.
- Calling faith-based justifications for violence a grave error, he warned of a “delusion of omnipotence” driving the war and told leaders to choose mediation over rearmament.
- The pope amplified his message online, writing that “God does not bless any conflict” and arguing military action will not create freedom, after earlier condemning President Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization as unacceptable.
- The vigil drew senior church and diplomatic figures, including Tehran’s archbishop, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, with the United States represented by deputy chief of mission Laura Hochla.
- The Holy See highlighted civilian suffering and repeated breaches of international law, voicing special concern about fighting spreading to Lebanon, where Christian communities face growing risk.