Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican
Asked for a comment on the escalating war, Leo XIV replied: “Today, as we all know, this threat to the entire nation in Iran has also emerged. And this is truly unacceptable.”
War solves nothing
The Pope added that he wished to reiterate what he said in Sunday’s Urbi et Orbi message, “asking all people of good will to always seek peace, not violence, to reject war – especially a war that many describe as unjust, which continues to escalate and solves nothing.”
The Pope added that we are already facing a global economic crisis, an energy crisis, and a situation in the Middle East that is full of instability and only provokes even more hatred worldwide. “Therefore, let’s return to the negotiating table. Let’s talk. Let’s seek solutions peacefully,” appealed the Holy Father.
Think of the victims of war
“Let us remember above all the innocent: children, the elderly, the sick – so many people who have already become or will become victims of this ongoing war. Let us remind everyone that attacks on civilian infrastructure are contrary to international law, but they are also a sign of the hatred, division, and destruction of which man is capable,” said the Pope.
Appeal to authorities
Leo XIV emphasized that people desire peace. “I would encourage citizens of all involved countries to contact authorities, political leaders, parliamentarians, asking and appealing to them to work for peace and reject war,” added the Holy Father.
We need to pray a lot
We need to pray a lot – I would like to invite everyone to prayer – but also to seek ways of communicating, perhaps with parliamentarians, with authorities, to say that we do not want war, we want peace, we are a nation that loves peace and greatly needs peace.
