Pope Leo XIV. Photo: AFP

Pope Leo XIV calls for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East

Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed in Vatican City the need to put an end to the war conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and renewed his call for dialogue between the parties and the promotion of a cease-fire.

A report published on the Vatican News website states that at this morning’s general audience, held in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope expressed his concern for the consequences of the confrontation between Kiev and Moscow, and assured “my closeness and my prayers for all the victims”.

The Bishop of Rome reaffirmed the support of the Holy See for a possible tripartite summit between the presidents of Russia, Ukraine and the United States, Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Zelensky and Donald Trump, respectively, as well as “every initiative for dialogue and peace.”

Leo XIV also alluded to the conflict in the Middle East, where, as a consequence of Israel’s attacks, more than 53,000 Palestinians have already died in the Gaza Strip, and the inhabitants of that area are facing a serious humanitarian crisis.

Before “the cries of mothers and fathers who hold the lifeless bodies of their children and who are forced to move continuously in search of some food and a safer shelter in the face of the bombardments,” which are becoming more and more intense, “to those responsible, I renew my appeal: cease fire,” he said.

In an interview published last Tuesday on the Vatican News website, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, said that “what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable”.

“I believe that the international community must do everything possible to put an end to this tragedy”, added Parolin and emphasized that ‘international humanitarian law must always be applied and for everyone’. For which reason ‘we ask that the bombing cease and that the necessary aid reach the population’.

With information from Prensa Latina

Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez

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