During the Angelus of this Second Sunday of Lent in St. Peter's Square, Leo XIV made an urgent and fervent appeal to “stop the spiral of violence in the Middle East and Iran”.
In view of the attack by Israel and the United States on Iran, and the Iranian response to the Gulf countries, the Pope's words at the Angelus of this Second Sunday of Lent were awaited.
Pope's appeal to the parties involved in the Middle East and Iran
His message, following the Marian prayer of the Angelus, The following has emphasized the option of dialogue, diplomacy and prayer for peace:
“I follow with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and Iran in these dramatic hours. Stability and peace are not built by mutual threats or by weapons that sow destruction, pain and death, but only through reasonable, genuine and responsible dialogue.
Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I make a fervent appeal to the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss. May diplomacy regain its role and promote the good of peoples who yearn for peaceful coexistence, founded on justice. And let us continue to pray for peace”.
Pakistan and Afghanistan: also request for dialogue
In recent days, the Pope continued, “we have also received disturbing news about the clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. I ask that dialogue be urgently restored. Let us pray together that harmony may prevail in all the conflicts of the world. Only peace, God's gift, can heal the wounds between peoples”.
Flood victims in Minas Gerais, and greetings to Cameroon
Leo XIV also expressed his closeness “to the people of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, affected by severe flooding. I pray for the victims, for the families who have lost their homes and for those involved in the relief efforts”.
He then greeted the Romans and pilgrims from different countries. In particular, to “the group of Cameroonians living in Rome, accompanied by the President of the Episcopal Conference of the country, whom God willing, I will have the joy of visiting in April”.
“Ehe Father responds to the despair of atheism with the gift of the Savior Son”.”
Before praying the Angelus, the Pontiff briefly commented on “the Gospel of today's liturgy”, which “composes for all of us an icon full of light, narrating the Transfiguration of the Lord (cf. Mt 17:1-9)”.
To depict him, the evangelist dips his pen in the memory of the apostles, painting Christ between Moses and Elijah, the Pope noted. “The Word made man stands between the Law and Prophecy; he is the living Wisdom, who brings to fulfillment every divine word.”.
“As on the day of the baptism in the Jordan, Today, too, we hear the voice of the Father on the mountain proclaiming: ‘This is my beloved Son,’ while the Holy Spirit covers Jesus with a ‘bright cloud’ (Mt 17:5)”.
– Supernatural Transfiguration anticipates the light of Easter, the event of death and resurrection, said the Successor of Peter. (...). The Redeemer thus transfigures the wounds of history, illuminating our minds and our hearts. And he asked us: “His revelation is a surprise of salvation! Does it still attract us? Does the true face of God find in us a gaze of admiration and love?”.
“The Holy Spirit rescues us from agnostic loneliness.”
“The Father responds to the despair of atheism with the gift of the Savior Son; the Holy Spirit rescues us from agnostic solitude by offering us an eternal communion of life and grace; in the face of our weak faith, there is the proclamation of the future resurrection,” the Pope said.
As we experience all this during Lent, he concluded, “let us ask Mary, Teacher of prayer and Morning Star, to guard our steps in faith”.
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