As violence intensifies across the Middle East, Catholics around the world are once again confronted with a familiar moral question: how do we uphold human dignity in the face of escalating war?
In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized a surprise bombing campaign on three key Iranian nuclear sites, describing the action as a “necessary step” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, according to Reuters. The strikes, carried out by B-2 stealth bombers under “Operation Midnight Hammer,” followed a nine-day Israeli aerial campaign and have triggered a powerful wave of international fallout.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the bombings as a violation of international law and warned, “They have crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities,” adding, “We have to respond,” as reported by NDTV. Iran has invoked its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, signaling possible retaliation.
This deepening crisis demands prayerful attention from Catholics, especially as innocent lives are increasingly at risk. Pope Leo XIV, in a Sunday Angelus address, reminded the world, “Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace… [this cry] must not be drowned out by the roar of weapons,” urging international leaders to stop the tragedy of war “before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”
The path forward grows more uncertain as Russia now enters the scene. Araghchi announced during a press conference at the OIC summit in Istanbul that he would travel to Moscow for “serious consultations with the Russian president” the following morning. “Russia is a friend of Iran, we always consult with each other,” he said, according to NDTV. President Vladimir Putin, during the televised meeting, condemned the U.S. strikes as “unprovoked aggression” and voiced support for Iran.
Russia’s former president, Dmitry Medvedev, was even more pointed, accusing Trump of “starting another war,” writing on Telegram, “Trump, who came in as a peacemaker president, has started a new war for the U.S.” He also warned that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads,” though he did not name them, as reported by NDTV and The US Sun.
Following these events, Israel launched a fresh wave of bombings on Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, described as the Ayatollah’s “Mount Doom.” U.S. strikes—capable of penetrating 300 feet of earth—have reportedly caused “significant damage” to sensitive machinery at the enrichment facility, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), via The US Sun.
The Ayatollah’s response has included a renewed barrage of missile strikes on Israel and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz—a vital channel through which nearly 25% of the world’s oil flows. If enacted, this could trigger a global economic crisis. Iran’s parliament has voted to close the strait, though the final decision lies with the Supreme Leader.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a security alert recommending that Americans shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution,” as noted by the U.S. Embassy communication.
In the face of these developments, the Holy Father’s call rings louder than ever: “War does not solve problems… it causes deep wounds in the history of peoples—wounds that take generations to heal.”
As Catholics, we are called not only to condemn violence but to pray and work for peace. In this moment of global crisis, let us turn to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and ask for her intercession—for wisdom among world leaders, safety for the innocent, and a swift return to diplomacy rooted in human dignity and justice.
