Pope Leo XIV recently issued an appeal “to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm.” Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called upon the United States, Iran, and the broader international community to return to dialogue and pursue every avenue toward a just and lasting peace.
Archbishop Coakley emphasized the need for restraint and for all parties to take concrete steps to end the conflict, work for peace, and protect innocent lives.
Archbishop Coakley said, “At this critical moment, I invite Catholics and all people of goodwill to continue our ardent prayers for peace in the Middle East, for the safety of our troops and the innocent, that leaders may seek dialogue over destruction, and pursue the common good over the tragedy of war. We implore the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, Queen of Peace, to pray for our troubled world and for a lasting peace.”
You can read the full remarks on the USCCB website here.