By Caritas Internationalis
In response to recent military escalations in the Middle East, marked by joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and subsequent reprisals, Caritas Internationalis―the global confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service organisations of which of which Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is a member―released the following statement.
Caritas unequivocally condemns the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran on Saturday, in which they claim to have dropped over 1,200 bombs, and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel and several other countries in the region, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
These acts of war increase the tension, violence and instability in the region, jeopardising prospects of peace, and constitute grave violations of human dignity, the rule of law, and International Law, including the UN Charter and International Humanitarian Law, which protects civilians and non-combatants in conflict.
Schools, hospitals, places of worship and populated civilian areas, which should be sanctuaries of learning, care and safety, are protected spaces under International Humanitarian Law; attacks on which, deliberately or recklessly, are morally indefensible and legally prohibited.
In this moment of rapidly escalating regional tension, Caritas urges all parties to step back from the brink immediately and diffuse the situation, to refrain from further military action, and to uphold their obligation to protect civilians without exception.
The loss of innocent life, particularly that of children, demands urgent restraint and a renewed commitment to diplomacy.
In today’s Angelus, responding to the spiralling violence in the Middle East, Pope Leo appealed powerfully for stability and peace, which can only be achieved through reasonable, sincere dialogue.
Addressing all the parties involved directly, Pope Leo XIV said:
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm. May diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld. And let us continue to pray for peace.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Caritas echoes this urgent appeal. Justice, restraint, and the primacy of human life must guide national leaders’ every decision in this critical moment.
The international community must act swiftly to prevent further loss of innocent life and to ensure accountability, protection, and a genuine path toward peace.