Pope warns against ‘spiral of violence’ as US attacks Iran

ROME – Pope Leo XVI urged an end to fresh violence in the Middle East on Sunday, as joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran continued into their second day.

In  an Angelus appeal, Pope Leo said he was following “with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and in Iran in these dramatic hours.”

“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only with a reasonable, authentic and responsible dialogue,” the pontiff said.