STORY: Pope Leo made an impassioned plea on Sunday (March 15) during his traditional Angelus prayer for an immediate ceasefire in the expanding Iran war, lamenting "atrocious" violence that he said had killed thousands of non-combatants and caused suffering across the region.

As the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran enters its third week, the first U.S. pope warned that violence would not bring the justice, stability and peace that the peoples of the region long for.

"In the name of Christians in the Middle East and of all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: Cease fire!," the pontiff said in St Peter's Square.

Leo added the situation in Lebanon - ravaged by a war between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah - was also a cause of "great concern".

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (MARCH 15, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING AT WINDOW OF APOSTOLIC PALACE

2. CROWD IN ST PETER'S SQUARE WELCOMING POPE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"For two weeks, the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the atrocious violence of war. Thousands of innocent people have been killed and many others forced to abandon their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all those who have lost their loved ones in the attacks that have struck schools, hospitals and residential areas."

4. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LISTENING TO PRAYER

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"The situation in Lebanon is a cause of great concern. I hope for paths of dialogue that can support the country’s authorities in implementing long-lasting solutions to the serious crisis underway, for the common good of all the Lebanese people. In the name of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of good will, I address those responsible for this conflict: Let there be a ceasefire, let paths of dialogue be reopened."

6. WOMAN LISTENING AND PRAYING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"Violence will never bring the justice, stability and peace that peoples are waiting for."

8. CROWD IN ST PETER'S SQUARE