As violence continues to escalate across the Middle East, a Franciscan priest with deep roots in the region is urging Christians to reject the logic of war and return to the spiritual weapons of faith.
According to Vatican News, Father Francesco Patton, former Custos of the Holy Land, spoke from Mount Nebo in Jordan, warning that the world is being overtaken by a dangerous “war madness”—the belief that conflicts can be resolved through force.
“The thought of civilian victims is constant and deeply present,” Father Patton said, reflecting on the suffering unfolding across the region.
The crisis in Lebanon, he noted, has reached overwhelming proportions. Nearly one million people have been displaced, and religious communities are struggling to respond. Franciscan convents, including one in Tyre, have been converted into refugee shelters, while others in Beirut are working tirelessly to assist civilians who are “being tested beyond measure.”
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Drawing on years of experience, Father Patton warned that history shows the dangers of relying on military solutions. Conflicts that are not resolved through dialogue often give rise to further violence, including the emergence of extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
“If the conflict is not brought to an end in a nonviolent way, it will spread,” he cautioned.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is especially dire. As reported by Vatican News, Father Patton described conditions in the region as devastating, with families facing extreme hunger, lack of medical care, and a daily struggle for basic human dignity.
In the West Bank, tensions continue to grow, with ongoing displacement, violence, and policies that place increasing pressure on Palestinian communities. These developments, he suggested, risk further destabilizing the region.
Even Jordan is feeling the effects of the war. The collapse of pilgrimages has left many Christians—especially those who depend on visitors to the holy sites—without work or income to support their families.
Amid this suffering, Father Patton emphasized that Christians are called to respond in a fundamentally different way.
“The only weapons Christians should use are prayer and fasting,” he said.
He called for a global gathering of believers—echoing similar moments led by Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Francis—uniting people of all faiths in prayer and fasting for peace. While such actions may seem insignificant compared to military force, he stressed that they have the power to awaken consciences and bring about true unity.
This call reflects what Pope Leo XIV has described as a “disarmed and disarming peace,” rooted in humility, perseverance, and trust in God.
At a time when the world looks to weapons for solutions, the Church, as highlighted by Vatican News, continues to point to a higher path—one grounded in prayer, sacrifice, and the hope for lasting peace.
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