Jerusalem & Tehran: As the aerial exchanges between Iran and Israel intensify, pushing both nations closer to the precipice of full-scale war, a powerful plea for peace has emerged from the Catholic leadership in both countries. Cardinal Dominic Mathieu, of the Archdiocese of Tehran and Isfahan in Iran, and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in Israel, have jointly called upon the divine for an end to the hostilities and a return to dialogue.
In an interview with Asia News, Cardinal Mathieu expressed profound sorrow at witnessing "defensive attacks instead of dialogue around the table." He emphasized the urgent need for spiritual intervention, stating, "We pray for peace through dialogue based on consensus and that the Holy Spirit will guide this process." Their shared supplication invokes a passage from scripture: "God of peace, 'You are the same yesterday and today' (Hebrews 13:8). You have said: 'My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid' (John 14:27)."
The call for peace resonates amidst a rapidly escalating crisis that began on June 13 with Israel's initial offensive against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly asserted that Israel's objective is to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, vowing to continue operations until this goal is achieved. In retaliation, Iran unleashed hundreds of ballistic missiles, marking a severe escalation. Reports tragically indicate that over 200 Iranians and at least 24 Israelis have perished in these war-like attacks.
This opening of a new, direct front between two regional powers presents a formidable challenge to global efforts aimed at resolving protracted conflicts elsewhere, including in Gaza and Ukraine. As the world watches with bated breath, the unified prayer from these prominent Catholic figures serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the desperate hope for diplomatic pathways to prevail.