Pope: The threat against the entire Iranian people is unacceptable

Vatican, April 8, 2026: Pope Leo XIV, speaking to journalists in Castel Gandolfo, called on “all people of goodwill to always search for peace and to reject war,” urging a return to dialogue for peaceful solutions and stressing that attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law.

"Search always for peace and reject war."

Pope Leo XIV reiterated his appeal for peace in a brief statement on Tuesday evening to journalists gathered outside Villa Barberini, the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

Amid the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and the U.S. President’s threat to destroy “the whole Iranian civilisation” if Tehran fails to meet a deadline set by the White House to reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Pope said he wished to restate what he had expressed in his Urbi et Orbi message on Sunday: “asking all people of goodwill to always search for peace and not violence, to reject war—especially a war which many people have said is unjust, which is continuing to escalate and which is not resolving anything.”

Speaking in Italian, he said, “Today, as we all know, there has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran. And this is truly unacceptable! There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more, it is a moral question concerning the good of the people as a whole, in its entirety.”

The Pope also highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the conflict, noting, “We have a worldwide economic crisis, an energy crisis, and a situation in the Middle East of great instability, which is only provoking more hatred throughout the world.”

Pope Leo therefore urged, “Come back to the table. Let's talk. Let's look for solutions in a peaceful way.”

He went on to recall those unjustly affected by the conflict.

“Let's remember, especially, the innocent: children, the elderly, the sick, so many people who have already become, or will become, victims of this continued warfare—and to remind all that attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law, and that they are also a sign of the hatred, division, and destruction that the human being is capable of.”

The Pope reaffirmed that “we all want to work for peace. People want peace,” while encouraging everyone to take responsibility.

“I would invite the citizens of all the countries involved,” Pope Leo concluded, “to contact the authorities—political leaders, congressmen—to ask them, to tell them, to work for peace and to reject war and violence. Thank you very much.”

Courtesy: Vatican News