Pope prays for end to ‘roar of bombs’ as Middle East war hits day nine

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for an immediate end to the fighting in the Middle East, praying that the “roar of bombs” would fall silent as the conflict sparked by US and Israeli air strikes on Iran entered its ninth day.

Speaking after the Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the US-born pontiff said developments in the region continued to cause “deep dismay”.

He warned that the violence could spread further across the Middle East, raising fears of wider instability.

“Added to the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear is the fear that the conflict will spread, and that other countries in the region, including beloved Lebanon, may once again sink into instability,” he said.

The pope’s appeal came as tensions in the region remained high following coordinated air strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets.

• Pope calls for dialogue as Iran, Israel tensions escalate

The attacks reportedly destroyed fuel depots and triggered major fires in parts of Tehran, leaving sections of the city covered in thick smoke.

Iran has since launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting US military facilities and other locations across several Gulf states and parts of the wider Middle East.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has refused to rule out deploying American ground troops to Iran, although he has repeatedly insisted the military campaign is progressing rapidly.

Amid the escalating violence, Pope Leo XIV urged all parties to pursue dialogue instead of further confrontation.

“I pray that the roar of the bombs may cease, the weapons may fall silent, and a space for dialogue may open in which the voices of the peoples may be heard,” he said.