Pope Leo calls war in Middle East a 'scandal' to humanity

## Summary
Advertisement World Pope Leo calls war in Middle East a 'scandal' to humanity People look at a destroyed building following a strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Mar 21, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Alaa Al-Marjani) 22 Mar 2026 10:55PM (Updated: 22 Mar 2026 11:01PM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo on Sunday (Mar 22) said death and suffering caused by the war in the Middle East are a "scandal to the whole human family", renewing his plea for an immediate ceasefire. As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the first US pope said that he continues to follow with "dismay" the situation in the Middle East and in other regions torn apart by war and violence. "We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. Source: Reuters/ec Sign up for our newsletters Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox Subscribe here Get the CNA app Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories Download here Get WhatsApp alerts Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app Join here Related Topics Pope Leo XIV Vatican Advertisement Also worth reading Content is loading...

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Pope Leo calls war in Middle East a 'scandal' to humanity
People look at a destroyed building following a strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Mar 21, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Alaa Al-Marjani)
22 Mar 2026 10:55PM
(Updated: 22 Mar 2026 11:01PM)
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VATICAN CITY:
Pope
Leo on Sunday (Mar 22) said death and suffering caused by the
war in the Middle East
are a "scandal to the whole human family", renewing his plea for an immediate ceasefire.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the first US
pope
said that he continues to follow with "dismay" the situation in the Middle East and in other regions torn apart by war and violence.
"We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity," Leo said at his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
"I strongly renew my appeal for us to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace," he added.
Source: Reuters/ec
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
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### Areas for Consideration
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### Implications
- Peter's Square. "I strongly renew my appeal for us to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace," he added.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers fast, pope, leo topics. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 357.