POPE ON IRAN: PEACE NOT BUILT WITH MUTUAL THREATS OR DEATH-DEALING ARMS
Pope Leo XIV appeals for nations to recall their moral responsibility to seek peace, as violence escalates in the Middle East after the US and Israel carry out airstrikes on Iran.
By Devin Watkins
Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” over recent events in the Middle East and Iran.
“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said.
The Pope warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!”
Pope Leo prayed that nations may return to dialogue in order to seek peace.
“May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice,” he said. “And let us continue to pray for peace.”
On Saturday, Israel and the United States began carrying out joint airstrikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities.
Iran then responded with attacks on Israel and several Gulf countries which host American military bases.
Later, state-run news agencies announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years.
BISHOP MARTINELLI: MAY OUR LADY OF ARABIA WATCH OVER US AND GRANT US PEACE
After US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Bishop Martinelli invites the faithful to pray for peace and the well-being of the people.
By Fr. Mark Robin Destura, RCJ
As the Gulf region continues to endure the effects of the bombing carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, appealed to the Catholic communities living in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen to pray the Rosary for “peace and reconciliation.”
Speaking to Vatican News, he said he has entrusted the region to the intercession of “Our Lady of Arabia, watch over us all; that our patrons, Peter and Paul, protect us; and that the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi grant us peace.”
During the celebration of the Eucharist, he also asked the faithful to pray “for the peace and security of all the peoples of this region.” Bishop Martinelli: May Our Lady of Arabia watch over us and grant us peace – Vatican News
NUNCIO TO KUWAIT: ‘A LONG WAR BENEFITS NO ONE IN REGION ALREADY UNDER STRAIN’
Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, speaks to Vatican News about local Church’s desire to pray and fast for peace, as violence escalates in the Middle East.
By Delphine Allaire
Five people have been killed in the Gulf since Saturday, February 28, all of them foreign nationals: one in Kuwait, three in the Emirates, and one in Bahrain.
On Monday, March 2, new explosions were heard in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Manama. In Kuwait, thick smoke rose from the US embassy.
Iranian strikes are shaking these states of the Arabian Peninsula, long considered havens of security.
In the following interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, describes the situation and the Church’s desire for peace. Nuncio to Kuwait: ‘A long war benefits no one in region already under strain’ – Vatican News
Joan's Rome 