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Pope Leo XIV Urges Diplomacy Following US Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

President Trump’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have escalated conflicts in the Middle East, prompting calls for renewed diplomacy after reports of mounting civilian casualties.

Pope Leo XIV holds a Jubilee audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of Sport, at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo
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VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - JUNE 22: (EDITOR NOTE: STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY - NO MERCHANDISING). Pope Leo XIV delivers his Angelus blessing on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square on June 22, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pope said the cry for peace “demands responsibility and reason and must not be drowned out by the roar of weapons or by rhetorical words that incite conflict.” Pope Leo urged every member of the international community to take up their moral responsibility to “stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.” The Holy Father’s words came just hours after US bombers struck nuclear sites in Iran, as Israel and Iran carry out strikes on each other’s territory. (Photo by Mario Tomassetti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • President Trump ordered targeted strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21 to prevent Tehran from advancing its weapons program.
  • In his June 22 Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV said war deepens wounds and urged the global community to shoulder its moral responsibility for peace.
  • Iran’s health ministry reports at least 430 deaths from Israeli missile strikes, and Iran says its retaliatory strikes have killed 24 Israelis.
  • Peace talks in Geneva included Britain, France, Germany and the EU, but Iran declined to negotiate directly with the Trump administration.
  • The Pope warned that urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza and other territories risks being forgotten as civilian suffering mounts.