Pope Leo has appealed to authorities in Israel and Iran to act with “reason” and pursue dialogue after air strikes and missile launches.
He told an audience in St Peter’s Basilica he’s following the situation with “great concern.”
“In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason,” said the pope.
“The commitment to building a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good,” he said.
“No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” said Leo. “It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.”
Israeli occupation arbitrarily launched a large-scale attack on Iran early on Friday, targeting cities, commanders, nuclear facilities, and military targets in what it called a “preemptive strike” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons programme.
Iran says Israel has killed at least 78 people, including women and children, and wounded more than 320 others, as the Israel continues to launch strikes.
Iranian missiles have targeted sites across Israel, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, in retaliation.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it “must expect severe punishment” following the “crime” of attacking Iran and killing several top-level military commanders and six nuclear scientists.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military operation will continue as long as necessary.
