Caritas unequivocally condemns the attacks carried out on Saturday by the United States and Israel against Iran, in which they claim to have dropped more than 1,200 bombs, as well as Iran's retaliatory attacks against Israel and other countries in the region, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
These acts of war increase tension, violence and instability in the region, endangering the prospects for peace, and constitute serious violations of the human dignity, the rule of law and international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law, which protects civilians and non-combatants in conflict.
Schools, hospitals, places of worship and populated civilian areas, which should be sanctuaries of learning, care and safety, are spaces protected by international humanitarian law. Therefore, attacks against these targets, whether deliberate or indiscriminate, are morally indefensible and prohibited by law.
At this time of rapidly escalating regional tension, Caritas calls on all parties to immediately step back. It is necessary to defuse the situation and not undertake new military actions, to fulfill the obligation to protect the civilian population without exception.
In the Angelus of Sunday, March 1, in response to the spiral of violence in the Middle East, Pope Leo made a strong exhortation to stability and peace, which can only be achieved through reasonable and sincere dialogue.
Addressing directly to all parties involved, Pope Leo said:

Facing the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I strongly appeal to the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of stopping the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss. May diplomacy recover its role and promote the good of the people, who long for peaceful coexistence, based on justice. And let us continue praying for peace.

Cáritas echoes this urgent call. Justice, moderation and the primacy of human life must guide all decisions of national leaders at this critical moment. The international community must act quickly to prevent further loss of innocent life and ensure accountability, protection and a genuine path to peace.

(Cover photo: Pope Leo XIV at the Angelus, March 1 - © Vatican Media)