Vatican City: In a heartfelt message during his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV offered deep solidarity to Christians in the Middle East, assuring them that they are not alone in their suffering. Referring to the devastating suicide bombing at Mar Elias Church in Damascus on June 22, the Holy Father condemned the act as a “vile terrorist attack” and entrusted the souls of the victims to God's mercy.
Pope Leo expressed his closeness to the wounded and the grieving families, reaffirming the Church’s unwavering support for persecuted Christian communities. “I am near to you,” he declared. “And the entire Church stands united with you.”
Addressing the broader crisis, the Pope highlighted the ongoing instability in Syria, describing the nation as caught in a fragile and prolonged state of unrest after years of war and displacement. “This recent act of terror once again exposes the deep vulnerability and suffering still faced by the Syrian people,” he said.
Pope Leo called upon the international community to respond with compassion and commitment. “We must not avert our eyes from Syria,” he urged. “The world must act with renewed solidarity, choosing peace and reconciliation over indifference.”
Expanding his concern beyond Syria, the Pope noted he is following the situations in Iran, Israel, and Palestine with both prayerful attention and hope. He reiterated his longstanding appeal for peace across the Middle East, citing the timeless words of the prophet Isaiah: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
Reflecting on the recent violence, Pope Leo expressed his desire for healing and urged all parties to abandon paths of revenge, retaliation, and power struggles. “Let us reject domination and vengeance,” he said. “Let us instead embrace the path of dialogue, diplomacy, and determined peacebuilding.”
Concluding his address, the Pope once again uplifted the people of the Middle East, especially Christians, in prayer. He called on global leaders and communities of faith to become instruments of peace, reconciliation, and hope in a region too often scarred by conflict.
In his words, the Church’s message was clear: amid sorrow, fear, and uncertainty, the global Christian community walks with the Middle East not just in spirit, but with steadfast solidarity and a call for lasting peace.