Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has appealed for peace and responsibility as violence intensifies in the Middle East following joint United States and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Speaking during the Angelus prayer on Sunday,  Pope expressed deep concern over the unfolding crisis and warned that lasting peace cannot be achieved through threats or military force.

He said stability and peace are not built through mutual threats or weapons that bring destruction, pain and death, but through reasonable, authentic and responsible dialogue.

 Pope cautioned that the situation could lead to a tragedy of enormous proportions if the violence continues to escalate. He urged all parties involved to recognize their moral responsibility and stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss.

Pope Leo XIV called for diplomacy to regain its central role and stressed that the good of peoples must be promoted, especially those longing for peaceful coexistence founded on justice. He also invited the faithful to continue praying for peace.

The appeal comes after Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Saturday. Iran responded with attacks on Israel and several Gulf countries hosting American military bases, further raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Later, Iranian state media reported the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country for nearly four decades, adding uncertainty to an already volatile situation.