Pope Leo XIV issued his most direct appeal to date for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict during his Sunday blessing at St. Peter's Square, addressing leaders responsible for the ongoing war in Iran.

"On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict," the Pope said. "Cease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for."

While Leo did not name the United States or Israel specifically, he referenced attacks that targeted a school, appearing to refer to a missile strike on an elementary school in Iran that killed over 165 people, many of them children, in the opening days of the war. U.S. officials have said outdated intelligence likely led to the strike and that an investigation is ongoing.

The Vatican has prominently featured coverage of the school attack, publishing an aerial photo of a mass grave being dug for young victims on the front page of its official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, under the headline "The Face of War." The Pope expressed particular concern about attacks on schools, hospitals and residential centers.

Leo also highlighted the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, where aid groups are warning of a crisis. The plight of Christian communities in southern Lebanon is of particular concern to the Vatican, as they represent an important Christian presence in the predominantly Muslim region.

For the two weeks since the conflict began, the Pope had previously limited his comments to more general appeals for diplomacy and dialogue. However, some Vatican officials have been more direct in their criticism, with Cardinal Robert McElroy calling the war morally unjustifiable and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin rejecting claims of a "preventive war."