Pope Leo: Let us raise our voices for peace January 28, 2026By OSV News Vatican News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News “I’ll only say that we must pray very much for peace.” Those were the words of Pope Leo XIV given in a brief statement to Italian television as he left Villa Barberini, his residence in Castel Gandolfo, where, as usual, he had spent his Tuesday both resting and working. Asked by reporters about the situation in the Middle East, particularly the presence of a naval strike group led by the U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the waters of the Persian Gulf, the pope reiterated his appeal for peace. “We little ones can raise our voices and always seek dialogue and not violence to resolve these problems,” he said, “especially on this day when we commemorate the Shoah.” Today being Holocaust Remembrance Day, Pope Leo reaffirmed what he had already said earlier in the day on his X account, @Pontifex: “Let us fight against all forms of antisemitism.” Read More Vatican News Pope Leo encourages death penalty abolitionists as US brings back firing squad and electric chair Vatican pro-prefect at Catholic University: Liturgical prayer is indispensable to evangelization With outcries against corruption throughout Africa, pope softens speech in Equatorial Guinea Advocates for Father Capodanno’s sainthood hopeful cause will gain momentum at Vatican Buenos Aires archbishop laments lack of unity at Mass for Pope Francis Pope condemns killings in Iran, speaks on migration, same-sex blessings Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print