Pope Leo XIV urges dialogue, diplomacy amid Middle East wars

PARIS, Sept 25: Pope Leo XIV on Friday urged world leaders not to remain indifferent to suffering in the Middle East, calling for dialogue and diplomacy amid the wars in Iran and Lebanon.

“We cannot remain indifferent to such suffering that wounds human dignity and cries out to God for justice,” Leo XIV said, referring to the situation in the region.

The Pope said the gravity of the developments should “call each person to a true conversion of heart and a change in attitude.”

“I therefore urge you never to resign yourselves to the prospect of war by considering it inevitable, but to tirelessly promote dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.

Leo XIV made the remarks during a four-day visit to France, which began Friday with his arrival at Paris-Orly Airport, where he was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

His schedule includes a visit to UNESCO headquarters, a celebration at Notre-Dame de Paris and a vigil with young people at the Stade de France.

About 1 million people are expected in Paris on Friday and Saturday, according to France’s Interior Ministry. Around 14,000 police officers, gendarmes and soldiers have been deployed across the capital for the visit.

Leo XIV will later travel to Lourdes and Metz before returning to Rome on Monday.

The visit is the first apostolic trip by a pope to France since 2008.