The Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Monday conveyed the Holy See's profound concern regarding the recent developments in the Middle East, and urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to avoid widening the "very serious conflict" and instead to prioritize "dialogue" and "peace."
Last week, Pope Francis once again called for a ceasefire "on all fronts," starting with the Gaza Strip, "where the humanitarian situation is very serious and unsustainable."
The tensions in the Middle East continue to mount following Israel's assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and the killing of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. The region is currently watching Iran's retaliatory action after Tehran vowed to respond to "provocations."
