STORY: During his Angelus prayer on Sunday (January 11) Pope Leo called for 'peace and dialogue' in the Middle East and renewed his appeal for the end to violence in Ukraine.

Pope's message comes amid unrest in the Middle East with Iran's authorities facing some of the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Protests have spread across Iran since December 28, beginning in response to soaring inflation, and quickly turning political with protesters demanding an end to clerical rule.

The pontiff hoped in his Sunday prayer that "dialogue and peace will be patiently cultivated".

Leo also remembered the strikes against Ukraine that took place earlier this week and said that he prays for those who are suffering.

As a result of the attack, more than 1,000 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are still without heating, local authorities said on Sunday.

On Friday, a missile strike on Kyiv left virtually the entire city without power and heating amid a sharp cold snap, and it was not until Sunday that authorities restored water supplies and partially restored electricity and heating.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (JANUARY 11, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING FROM WINDOW OF PAPAL APARTMENTS

2. VIEW OF ST PETER'S SQUARE

3. POPE GREETING THE CROWD

5. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"My thoughts turn to what is happening these days in the Middle East, particularly in Iran and Syria, where persistent tensions are causing the death of many people. I hope and pray that dialogue and peace will be patiently cultivated, pursuing the common good of the whole society."

7. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"In Ukraine, new attacks, particularly serious ones, aimed mainly at energy infrastructure, just as the cold weather is getting worse, are strongly hitting the civilian population. I pray for those who are suffering and renew my appeal for an end to violence and for efforts to achieve peace to be intensified."

9. VIEW OF SQUARE

10. PEOPLE IN SQUARE APPLAUDING

11. POPE LEO GREETING THE CROWD

12. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

13. POPE WAIVING AND LEAVING