Pope Francis urged Iran and Israel on Sunday to avoid steps that could feed "a spiral of violence" that risked plunging the Middle East deeper into conflict.
Pope Francis leads the Regina Caeli prayer from his window at the Vatican, April 14, 2024. Vatican Media/Handout via Reuters
Pope Francis urged Iran and Israel on Sunday to avoid steps that could feed "a spiral of violence" that risked plunging the Middle East deeper into conflict.
Speaking to pilgrims in St Peter's Square, Francis said he had been following news of Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel with a sense of concern and pain.
"I make a heartfelt appeal for a halt to any action that could fuel a spiral of violence with the risk of dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict," he said.
"No one should threaten the existence of others. All nations should stand, instead, for peace, and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side, in safety,"
he added.
The pope called for a ceasefire in Gaza and negotiations to allow humanitarian aid to be provided for its people and to help free Israeli hostages seized by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
"Enough war, enough attacks, enough violence. Yes to dialogue, yes to peace," he said.
Writing by Keith Weir
President Donald Trump stated Monday that he is offering “nothing” to Iran and has no communication with its leadership, days after warning he would not hesitate to launch further military strikes if Tehran pursued nuclear weapons.
Britain, France and Germany condemned on Monday what they described as threats against the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, after a hardline Iranian newspaper said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi should be tried and executed as an Israeli agent.
Israel is interested in establishing official diplomatic ties with old foes Syria and Lebanon, but will not negotiate the fate of the Golan Heights in any peace agreement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a press conference on Monday.
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