Pope calls for dialogue against war in the Middle East and an end to violence against women

Pope Leo 14 called, this Sunday (8), during a speech at the Vatican, for an end to violence in the Middle East and the resumption of diplomatic dialogue between the nations involved. Furthermore, he defended the end of violence against women.

“We raise our humble prayer to the Lord so that the clamor of the bombs will cease, that the weapons will silence and that space will be opened for dialogue, where the voice of the people can be heard”, said the pontiff.

The leader of the Catholic Church drew attention to the situation experienced by the Iranian people and also warned of the danger of spreading conflicts in the region.

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“Dear brothers and sisters, news continues to arrive from Iran and throughout the Middle East that causes deep concern. In addition to the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear, fears are growing that the conflict will spread and that other countries in the region, including our beloved Lebanon, could once again be plunged into instability,” he said.

At the same time, he prayed “for the paths of reconciliation and hope”.

The current conflict began with attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and is now spreading to other countries in the region. In Iran alone, more than 1,300 people were killed, 30% of whom were children.

Against violence against women

During the speech, Leão 14 also addressed March 8, International Women’s Day. In response to a letter addressed to him by a woman asking for help to end femicides, the pope defended an alliance between the school and the church to spread “a culture of respect” among young people.

At the same time, she argued that women are a sign of “freedom, equality, generativity, solidarity, justice”, as well as “protagonists and creators of a culture of care and fraternity indispensable to give a future and dignity to all humanity”.

Also read: Acts of 8M mobilize the country against violence and misogyny; check the agenda

It is these “great values”, he stated, that have been combated “by a dangerous mentality that infests relationships, producing only selfishness, prejudice, discrimination and the desire for dominance”, leading to attacks and the death of women around the world.

In Brazil alone, more than 1,400 women were victims of femicide in the year 2025. This March 8, the fight against violence and murders linked to gender is the main agenda of feminist and social movements that take to the streets in protests across the country.