By Devin Watkins

Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” over recent events in the Middle East and Iran.

“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said.

The Pope warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control.

“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!”

Pope Leo prayed that nations may return to dialogue in order to seek peace.

“May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice,” he said. “And let us continue to pray for peace.”

On Saturday, Israel and the United States began carrying out joint airstrikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities.

Iran then responded with attacks on Israel and several Gulf countries which host American military bases.

Later, state-run news agencies announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years.