Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St.Peter's square during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican. AFP
"My thoughts turn to what is happening these days in the Middle East, particularly in Iran and Syria, where persistent tensions are causing the deaths of many people," the US pontiff said at the Vatican.
"I hope and pray for the patient cultivation of dialogue and peace, for the common good of society as a whole."
Leo also offered his prayers for the people of Ukraine following "particularly serious" Russian strikes focused on energy infrastructure.
The attacks were "hitting the civilian population hard, just as the cold weather is getting worse", the head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics said.
"I pray for those who are suffering and renew my appeal for an end to violence and for efforts to achieve peace to be intensified."
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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