Pope Voices ‘Deep Concern’ Over Ongoing War In West Asia

LONDON, March 22 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Pope Leo XIV on Sunday expressed his “deep concern” over the ongoing war in West Asia, as well as other parts of the world “torn apart by war and violence,” Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing Vatican News.

After praying the Angelus, the pontiff called for an end to violence around the world, urging everyone to persevere in prayer because “we cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, innocent victims of these conflicts,” he was quoted as saying.

He said this continuous violence wounds everyone, adding that “what harms them harms all of humanity.”

The pope warned that the pain, death and suffering brought about by these wars “are a scandal to the entire human family.”

Regional escalation has continued to intensify since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb 28, killing more than 1,300 people, including then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU