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Pope Leo calls war in Middle East a ‘scandal’ to humanity

By Thomson Reuters Mar 22, 2026 | 7:16 AM

VATICAN CITY, March 22 (Reuters) – Pope Leo on Sunday said death and suffering ​caused by the war ‌in the Middle East are a “scandal to the whole human family”, renewing his plea for an immediate ‌ceasefire.

As ​the U.S.-Israeli ⁠war on Iran ⁠enters its fourth week, the first U.S. pope said that he continues to follow with “dismay” ​the situation in the Middle East and in ⁠other regions torn ⁠apart by war and ​violence.

“We cannot remain silent in ​the face of the suffering ‌of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts ⁠the whole of humanity,” Leo said at his weekly Angelus prayer in ⁠St. ‌Peter’s Square.

“I strongly ⁠renew my appeal for ​us ‌to persevere in prayer, ​so that ⁠hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace,” he added.

(Reporting by Sara Rossi; Editing by ​David Holmes)