Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday to stop the 'spiral of violence' in the Middle East, as the United States and Israel launch an attack on Iran, which is responding by targeting Israel and Gulf countries. The Pope urged the parties involved to assume their 'moral responsibility' to stop the escalation of violence before it becomes an irreparable whirlwind. He emphasized that stability and peace are not built through reciprocal threats or weapons that sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue. His call came amid an escalation of the conflict triggered by the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US and Israeli strike. In response, Iran has promised to retaliate with 'unprecedented force,' and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced attacks on 27 US military bases.
