March 23, (THEWILL) — The Catholic Pontiff and supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo, has renewed his call for global peace, urging world leaders to end hostilities and prioritise dialogue as a deadly U.S.-Israeli missile confrontation with Iran intensifies across the Middle East.
The conflict, which began with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military and strategic targets, has since spiralled into sustained missile exchanges, with Tehran launching retaliatory ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities and U.S. assets across the region.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting with executives and staff of ITA Airways, the pope condemned the use of aerial bombardments in modern warfare, describing them as indiscriminate and harmful to innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
“No one should have to fear that threats of death and destruction might come from the sky,” he said, stressing the urgent need to protect human life and dignity.
Reflecting on the devastating impact of past wars, the pontiff warned that the continued use of such tactics represents a step backward for humanity.
“After the tragic experiences of the 20th century, aerial bombings should have been banned forever. Yet they still exist; this is not progress — it is regression,” he added.
Pope Leo has consistently advocated for peace since the outbreak of the crisis, calling for restraint and meaningful engagement among nations involved in the conflict.
On Sunday, he described the war as “a scandal to the whole human family,” reiterating his demand for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution through diplomacy.
His latest appeal comes amid rising global concern over the humanitarian toll of the conflict, with missile strikes, air raids, and growing military deployments raising fears of a wider regional war and long-term instability.
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