The latest news on the Middle East. On Thursday, in comments to Catholic bishops and aid agencies operating in the region, Pope Leo has voiced deep concern over the scale and brutality of current Middle East conflicts, calling them "diabolical" in their intensity.
You might be interested:
United States enters Israel-Iran conflict.
Trump announces ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Here's what Pope Leo said:
Pope Leo said countries in the region were being "devastated by wars, plundered by special interests, and covered by a cloud of hatred that renders the air unbreathable and toxic."
"Today, violent conflict seems to be raging... with a diabolical intensity previously unknown," he said, adding that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was "tragic and inhumane".
"It is truly distressing to see the principle of 'might makes right' prevailing in so many situations today, all for the sake of legitimising the pursuit of self-interest."
"It is troubling to see that the force of international law and humanitarian law seems no longer to be binding, replaced by the alleged right to coerce others."