Pope Leo XIII renewed his call for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, calling for an end to the war and the reopening of dialogue.
“Dear brothers and sisters, for two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have suffered the atrocious violence of war,” the US pontiff said at his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican.
“Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes.
“I renew my closeness to all those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that have hit schools, hospitals, and residential areas,” he added.
The Pontiff said the situation in Lebanon was a particular cause for concern.
“On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict,” he said in Italian.
“Cease fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened!
“Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that people await,” Pope said.
