At the conclusion of the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV made a personal appeal to those responsible for the ongoing violence in the Middle East, calling for a ceasefire and the reopening of negotiation channels. Speaking on behalf of Middle Eastern Christians and all men and women of good will, the Pope voiced grave worry about the situation that has seized the area for the past two weeks. In his words, the peoples of the Middle East are witnessing "the atrocious violence of war", which has already cost thousands of innocent lives and driven countless others to flee their homes. The Pope then conveyed his condolences to those who have lost family members and loved ones in attacks on civilian facilities like schools, hospitals, and residential areas. His thoughts were also focused on the people of Lebanon, whose position he described as "a cause for great concern".
The Pontiff then expressed his wish for the opening of fresh channels of communication capable of assisting the Lebanese authorities in their search for long-term solutions to the severe ongoing issue. He emphasized that the goal must be the common benefit of all Lebanese citizens, as well as the establishment of peace and stability in the area as a whole.