Pope warns escalating Iran conflict could tip Middle East into ‘irreparable abyss’

Pope Leo XIV warned Sunday that U.S.-Israel airstrikes connected Iran hazard plunging the Middle East into an "irreparable abyss," urging leaders to halt a unsafe spiral of violence.

Speaking astatine the Angelus, the pontiff expressed "deep concern" implicit caller developments and called connected nations to take dialog implicit war.

"Stability and bid are not built with communal threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but lone done a reasonable, authentic, and liable dialogue," the pope said, according to Vatican News.

Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus supplication from the model of the Apostolic Palace astatine the Vatican connected March 1, 2026. The pontiff warned that escalating unit successful the Middle East risks becoming an "irreparable abyss." (REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane)

"Faced with the anticipation of a calamity of tremendous proportions," helium added, "I code to the parties progressive a heartfelt entreaty to presume the motivation work to halt the spiral of unit earlier it becomes an irreparable abyss!"

The pope's informing came aft Israel and the U.S. launched a associated subject cognition against Iran connected Saturday, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury." The attacks reportedly killed respective elder leaders, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for much than 3 decades.

 Meanwhile, Iranian airstrikes killed astatine slightest 8 Israelis connected Sunday arsenic Tehran’s latest rocket barrage landed miles from Jerusalem.

The pope reinforced his informing successful a two-part connection posted Sunday greeting connected X.

PUTIN: KILLING OF KHAMENEI A 'CYNICAL VIOLATION' OF MORALITY

TEHRAN, IRAN - FEBRUARY 28: Smoke rises implicit the metropolis halfway aft an Israeli service launches 2nd question of airstrikes connected Iran connected February 28, 2026. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"I americium pursuing with heavy interest what is happening successful the Middle East and successful Iran during this tumultuous time," helium wrote.

"Stability and bid are not achieved done communal threats, nor done the usage of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but lone done reasonable, sincere and liable dialogue."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed successful the strikes.  (Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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In a follow-up post, helium warned of "the anticipation of a calamity of immense proportions" and urged each parties progressive to "assume the motivation work of halting the spiral of unit earlier it becomes an unbridgeable chasm."

"May diplomacy regain its due role, and whitethorn the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful beingness founded connected justice, beryllium upheld. And fto america proceed to commune for peace," helium added.

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