Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican
Asked about a change of regime in Iran and the possible need for Europe’s involvement in resolving the conflict, Leo XIV said that a new attitude and culture of peace must be promoted.
The innocent cannot suffer
“Very often, when we assess certain situations, the immediate response is to use violence, war, attack. And what we have seen is the fact that many innocent people have died,” the Pope said, adding that he had received a letter from families who lost their children in this attack – explained the Holy Father.
“It’s not about whether a regime change will happen or not. It’s about how to promote the values we believe in, without the death of so many innocent people,” the Pope emphasized.
“I carry a photo of a killed child”
Leo XIV added that it is not clear what the regime actually is after the US and Israeli attacks. “Rather, I would like to encourage continued dialogue for peace, so that the parties make every effort to promote peace, avert the threat of war, and respect international law,” he stated.
“I carry with me a photo of a Muslim child who, during a visit to Lebanon, waited with a sign ‘Welcome, Pope Leo’, and was killed in the final phase of the war,” the Holy Father recounted. “As a shepherd, I cannot be for war,” he added.
Life is sacred from conception to natural death
Responding to a question about whether he condemns the Iranian regime for the execution of another opposition activist, Leo XIV stated: “I condemn all unjust actions. I condemn the killing of people. I condemn the death penalty. I believe that human life should be respected and that the life of all persons – from conception until natural death – should be protected and respected.”
Therefore, when a regime or state makes decisions that unjustly take the lives of other people, this is obviously something that must be condemned.
