Pope Leo XIV Condemns Trump's Iran War as a 'Scandal to Humanity'
In a powerful address from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV has sharply criticised the war on Iran, labelling it a profound "scandal to the whole human family." Speaking to thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the weekly Angelus prayer, the pontiff issued a heartfelt plea for an immediate end to the hostilities ravaging the Middle East.
A Call for Ceasefire and Peace
"We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts," Pope Leo declared. "What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity." He emphasised that the immense pain, death, and suffering inflicted by the war represent not only a human tragedy but also a cry before God, demanding urgent action.
The Pope strongly renewed his appeal for perseverance in prayer, urging that "hostilities may cease and paths of peace, based on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every human being, may finally open." He added, "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."
Escalating Violence and Casualty Reports
As the Pope made this impassioned appeal, reports continue to emerge detailing the escalating violence, now in its 23rd day. The conflict has resulted in devastating casualties across the region:
- More than 1,000 people are believed to have been killed in Lebanon.
- At least 160 individuals have been injured in Iranian missile strikes targeting Israeli towns early Sunday morning.
- In Iran, the death toll is reported to be around 1,444, with more than 18,000 injured.
In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have reported numerous drones and missiles entering their airspace, heightening regional tensions. Israel's military stated that Iran has fired over 400 ballistic missiles since the war began, with approximately 92 percent intercepted. Meanwhile, Iran has continued strikes on its Gulf neighbours, with Saudi Arabia's defence ministry detecting three ballistic missiles near the capital yesterday.
International Reactions and Military Developments
The conflict has drawn sharp responses from global powers. The UK Ministry of Defence condemned Iran's "reckless attacks" after the UK-US base at Diego Garcia was targeted by two intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs). One missile failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship, preventing any impact. This incident marked Iran's first operational use of IRBMs in an attempt to threaten US interests beyond the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump criticised the UK for a "very late response" following revelations that the US would now be permitted to use British bases to strike Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. Reacting to this move, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that it is "putting British lives in danger," further escalating diplomatic tensions.
The Pope's condemnation underscores the growing humanitarian crisis and international concern over the war, as calls for peace and dialogue intensify amidst the ongoing violence.
