Pope Leo XIV delivered a sobering message during his weekly address on Wednesday, calling for global leaders to reject modern warfare and pursue peace amid intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel.

According to Breitbart, the pope’s remarks came just days after Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran in response to Iran’s nuclear activities, highlighting growing international alarm over renewed violence in the region.

Speaking at the Vatican during his General Audience, the pontiff addressed the ongoing hostilities for the first time since the outbreak of violence, invoking historical parallels and urging the world not to repeat past mistakes. Without naming nuclear arms directly, he denounced the “scientific weapons of all kinds” that threaten to drag humanity into “barbarism.”

Pontiff draws on past warnings to highlight urgency

Pope Leo XIV referenced the warnings of his predecessor, Pope Pius XII, who in 1939 urged peace just days before the start of World War II. “Nothing is lost with peace. Everything can be lost with war,” the pontiff quoted solemnly.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV said societies must resist the attraction of powerful weapons and instead invest in “the force of reason” to resolve disputes. “War is always a defeat,” he added, echoing the words of Pope Francis while grounding his appeal in the dignity of life and international law.

The speech was delivered as Israel’s recent strike on Tehran, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” reignited fears of wider conflict. The Israeli government cited intelligence that Iran has acquired sufficient nuclear material capable of producing multiple warheads.

Israeli military operation follows failed diplomacy

Israel’s military action came on the heels of stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran to establish a new framework limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Talks had aimed to replace the defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Tehran has continued enriching uranium at levels far beyond what is needed for civilian energy, according to international observers. Despite repeated demands from the global community, Iran resisted any binding curbs to its nuclear activities while seeking relief from ongoing economic sanctions.

Just hours before the strike occurred, the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a rare resolution condemning Iran’s refusal to cooperate. This marked the agency’s first formal censure of Iran’s behavior in nearly two decades.

Calls for peace extend beyond the Vatican

In addition to the pope’s appeal, the U.S. Bishops’ Conference issued a statement urging all nations to prioritize peaceful dialogue. The bishops advocated for multilateral diplomacy geared toward a durable and secure regional solution.

They emphasized the importance of both reconciliation and accountability, stating that nations must build diplomatic channels that ensure both the safety and dignity of all people affected by the conflict. The bishops also highlighted the growing risk posed by nuclear weapons in the region.

During his address, Pope Leo XIV broadened his focus to include other global flashpoints, citing the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as concurrent tragedies driven by deeply rooted political failures. He warned that modern weaponry could plunge civilizations into a darker chapter of violence.

Iranian leaders push back amid military pressure

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded firmly following Israel’s attack, opposing both direct assaults and what he termed “imposed peace” efforts. The Iranian leader insisted that his nation would not yield to pressure regardless of external threats.

“This is a nation that will never surrender to any form of imposition,” Khamenei said, asserting that decades of experience had fortified Iran’s refusal to accept terms dictated by adversaries, especially those involving military threats.

He added that any U.S. military involvement in the crisis would bring about consequences that could not be reversed, suggesting the potential for broader escalation if diplomatic solutions are not pursued swiftly.

Civilian toll adds urgency to appeals

As the exchange of hostilities continued, Iranian bombing campaigns on Israeli targets have led to significant civilian casualties. At least 24 Israeli non-combatants have been reported dead as a result of ongoing attacks.

The tragedy underscores Pope Leo XIV’s statement that modern warfare, shaped by advanced military technologies, risks plunging humanity into conflicts that strip away morality and reason. “We must never become accustomed to war,” he said.

The pope’s remarks sought to elevate peace not as a political choice, but as a moral obligation. He called upon world leaders and citizens alike to reject violence and defend the principle of peace as a universal cause.