Roman Catholic Church – War Watch

Civilian Casualties | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Shajarah Tayyebeh (Minab, Iran) | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Families of Iranian Children Killed in School Airstrike Pen Letter to Pope
ByAshley Ahn April 25, 2026

Pope Leo said he has seen the letter from the parents of more than 100 children killed in the strike, which a preliminary inquiry found resulted from a mistake by the U.S. military.

Read More Families of Iranian Children Killed in School Airstrike Pen Letter to Pope
internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Italy | Leo XIV | Meloni, Giorgia (1977- ) | Politics and Government | Polls and Public Opinion | Right-Wing Extremism and Alt-Right | Roman Catholic Church | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Breaks With Meloni, Italy’s Leader, Amid Dispute Over Pope and Iran
ByJason Horowitz April 15, 2026April 16, 2026

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was once considered one of President Trump’s closest European allies. Their friendship now appears in danger.

Read More Trump Breaks With Meloni, Italy’s Leader, Amid Dispute Over Pope and Iran
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Leo XIV | Roman Catholic Church | Trump, Donald J | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Hours Before News of Cease-Fire, Pope Leo XIV Issues Strong Rebuke of Trump
ByEphrat Livni April 8, 2026

The first U.S.-born pontiff has consistently called for dialogue to resolve the war in the Middle East. He referred to Trump’s Iran threats as ‘truly unacceptable.’

Read More Hours Before News of Cease-Fire, Pope Leo XIV Issues Strong Rebuke of Trump
Christians and Christianity | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Leo XIV | live-detached | Roman Catholic Church | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Hegseth Says U.S. Troops Are Fighting for Jesus. The Pope Disagrees.
ByMotoko Rich April 3, 2026April 4, 2026

In sharp contrast to the Trump administration’s calls for Christian prayers for the war effort, Pope Leo XIV says military domination is “entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ.”

Read More Hegseth Says U.S. Troops Are Fighting for Jesus. The Pope Disagrees.
Beirut (Lebanon) | Beirut, Lebanon, Explosions (2020) | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Roman Catholic Church | Syria | Turkey

Thousands Greet Pope Leo in Lebanon, as He Prays at Beirut Blast Site
ByAbdi Latif Dahir December 2, 2025

A prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut explosion and a waterfront Mass capped his three-day visit to the Middle Eastern nation with the highest proportion of Christians.

Read More Thousands Greet Pope Leo in Lebanon, as He Prays at Beirut Blast Site
Beirut (Lebanon) | Beirut, Lebanon, Explosions (2020) | Hezbollah | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Roman Catholic Church | Syria | Turkey

Thousands Greet Pope Leo as He Prays Near Site of Beirut Port Blast
ByAbdi Latif Dahir December 2, 2025December 3, 2025

A waterfront Mass in the Lebanese capital capped the pope’s three-day visit to the Middle Eastern nation with the largest proportion of Christians.

Read More Thousands Greet Pope Leo as He Prays Near Site of Beirut Port Blast
Erdogan, Recep Tayyip | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022)

Pope Leo Calls for a Two-State Solution in Mideast Conflict
ByMotoko Rich November 30, 2025

The pope, en route to Lebanon after visiting Turkey, said he had discussed with the Turkish president how the Vatican might help Israel and the Palestinian territories find peace.

Read More Pope Leo Calls for a Two-State Solution in Mideast Conflict
Erdogan, Recep Tayyip | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022)

Pope Leo Calls for a Two-State Solution in Mideast Conflict
ByMotoko Rich November 30, 2025November 30, 2025

The pope, arriving in Lebanon, also encouraged that country’s Christians to stay where they are, despite economic, political and security concerns.

Read More Pope Leo Calls for a Two-State Solution in Mideast Conflict
Aoun, Joseph (1964- ) | Beirut (Lebanon) | Beirut, Lebanon, Explosions (2020) | Christians and Christianity | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
ByChristina Goldbaum November 30, 2025

The pontiff is set to meet political leaders and say Mass at a Beirut port destroyed by an explosion five years ago. It is the first papal visit to Lebanon since 2012.

Read More Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
Aoun, Joseph (1964- ) | Beirut (Lebanon) | Beirut, Lebanon, Explosions (2020) | Christians and Christianity | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
ByChristina Goldbaum November 30, 2025December 1, 2025

The pontiff met political leaders upon his arrival on Sunday and will later say Mass at a Beirut port destroyed by an explosion five years ago.

Read More Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace