Pope Leo XIV has expressed "deep sorrow" for victims of the Middle East war, citing the "many innocent people" who have died in the conflict, including a Lebanese priest, the Vatican said Monday."Pope Leo XIV expresses his deep sorrow for all the victims of the recent bombings in the Middle East, for the many innocent people, including many children," said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
The pope also cited "those who were helping them", naming Father Pierre al-Rai of Al-Qlayaa.
The priest died Monday from wounds sustained from Israeli tank fire that hit a house in the Christian town, according to state media and a medical source who spoke with AFP.
Last week, according to Iranian officials, a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary school killed at least 150 people. AFP has not been able to access the site to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident or to independently confirm the toll.
The US pope "is following events with concern and prays for an end to hostilities as soon as possible," Bruni said in a statement.
The 70-year-old pope has been cautious since the bombing began against Iran by the United States and Israel, calling for peace but without mentioning any of the parties involved.
On Sunday, he prayed for the "roar of bombs" in the Middle East to cease, a week after calling for an end to the "spiral of violence" in the region.
