Iranian strikes

Pope Leo XIV appealed to Catholics everywhere to unite spiritually for peace. “I ask all the faithful,” he said, “to pray the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary for the peoples suffering from war, that hearts may be touched and that the path of dialogue and peace may prevail.”

A coalition of Catholic intellectual and professional groups across the Asia-Pacific has issued a strong public statement condemning recent military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that the escalating conflict risks triggering a wider regional war and deepening civilian suffering.

At least five people have been killed in Gulf states since February 28, as Iranian strikes targeted parts of the Arabian Peninsula, according to a report by Vatican News.