Pope Leo calls Iran war 'atrocious', urges peace

Pope Leo condemns the Iran war as “atrocious” and calls for prayers, peace, and reconciliation during Holy Week.

Reuters

29 March 2026 at 11:14:26

Pope Leo calls Iran war 'atrocious', urges peace

Pope Leo XIV holds a palm branch on the day he celebrates the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 29, 2026.

Francesco Fotia/Reuters

Pope Leo called the violence in the Iran war "atrocious" on Sunday (March 29) as the conflict entered its second month.

Speaking during the Angelus prayers, at the start of the Catholic Church's most solemn period, he urged prayers for those sharing in Christ's suffering and appealed for "concrete paths" to peace and reconciliation.

He also prayed for seafarers affected by war and for migrants who died at sea, including recent victims off Crete, and asked the faithful to entrust their prayers to the Virgin Mary during Holy Week.

-Reuters