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Church leaders call for peace in Middle East

09 April 2026

‘This threat against the entire people of Iran . . . is truly unacceptable’ says Pope 

Alamy

Pope Leo XIV during the Via Crucis, the torchlit Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome

Pope Leo XIV during the Via Crucis, the torchlit Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome

CHURCHES across Jerusalem remained largely closed over Easter as the Middle East conflict — with its ensuing safety fears — continued, and Christian leaders around the world renewed their pleas for peace in the region.

On Tuesday, the Pope condemned President Trump’s social-media threat to Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight”. Pope Leo said: “This threat against the entire people of Iran . . . is truly unacceptable.” Late on Tuesday, President Trump declared a two-week ceasefire with Iran.

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