Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Middle East and interfaith dialogue

Pope Leo XIV called for an end to hostilities in Yemen and urged world religions to unite for peace. The pontiff made the statement on October 25, 2026, after the Sunday Angelus prayer.

The Pope paid particular attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Yemeni city of Taiz. Residents are experiencing shortages of food, water and medical care.

"I wholeheartedly call for an end to military action and for the people of Yemen, like all the peoples of the region, to have the opportunity to live in peace," Leo XIV said.

Due to the fighting and blocked roads in Taiz, the supply of essential goods has been disrupted. Hospitals are struggling with a shortage of medicines and oxygen, while community kitchens are facing difficulties in providing food to the most vulnerable families.

Prayer for victims of the attack in Jordan

The Pope also prayed for those killed and injured in an attack on parishioners of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in the Jordanian province of Karak. According to Vatican News, a shooting during funerals on October 23 killed nine people and wounded about 40.

"I am spiritually close to this community and to the whole country, which is distinguished by peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between representatives of different religions," the Pope said.

Call for prayer and meeting in Assisi

Leo XIV called on believers to pray for peace together with Christian and other religious leaders at the Italian city of Assisi, which will take place on October 27. The meeting is timed to the 40th anniversary of the interfaith prayer meeting organised by Pope John Paul II in 1986.

"Never before has it been so obvious that wars, besides killing people and causing destruction, unite and bring harm to the whole world," the pontiff emphasised.

He expressed hope that God would inspire people to choose dialogue and peace.

Source: news.am

Prepared by:Yulduz Salimov