Trending Now - Pope Calls for Peace Amid US Cardinals' Opposition to War

WHO:

Pope Leo XIV

Rev. Pierre El Raii, Maronite Catholic priest

Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Vatican ambassador to the United States

Fr. Toufic Bou Merhi, Latin-rite parish priest in Tyre and Deirmimas

Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences

WHAT:

Pope Leo XIV called for an end to the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.

Pope Leo expressed "deep sorrow" for those killed, especially children and Fr. Pierre El Raii.

Fr. Pierre El Raii was killed in a bombing while trying to rescue a wounded parishioner.

Over 300,000 people have left southern Lebanon in search of safety.

The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land are hosting 200 displaced people at their monastery in Tyre.

WHERE:

Qlayaa, Lebanon

Southern Lebanon

Tyre, Lebanon

Vatican City

WHEN:

The appeal by Pope Leo XIV was made on March 9th, 2026.

Fr. Pierre El Raii was killed on March 9th, 2026.

The statement from the Vatican spokesman was issued late on March 9th, 2026.

WHY:

Pope Leo XIV's call for peace is in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israel war in Iran and the resulting casualties.

Cardinal McElroy stated that the U.S. and Israel failed to meet the criteria for a morally just war.

HOW:

Pope Leo XIV has issued a series of muted appeals for dialogue and diplomacy since the war began.

Fr. El Raii was killed while attempting to assist parishioners whose house was attacked by an Israeli tank.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 05:22 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, expressing deep sorrow for the casualties, particularly the loss of Rev. Pierre El Raii, who was killed on March 9 while trying to rescue a wounded parishioner during a bombing. In light of the ongoing conflict, over 300,000 people have fled southern Lebanon in search of safety, with the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land providing shelter for 200 displaced individuals at their monastery in Tyre. Cardinal Robert McElroy emphasized that the actions of the U.S. and Israel do not meet the criteria for a morally just war, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy.