Vatican tells Iran to refrain ‘in every way’ from escalating Middle East conflict

The Vatican is calling on Iran to refrain “in every way” from worsening the conflict in the Middle East.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, appeals instead for Tehran to embrace dialogue, negotiation and peace, during a call with Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, to congratulate him on the start of his mandate.

According to a Vatican statement, Parolin “expressed the Holy See’s serious concern about what is happening in the Middle East, reiterating the need to avoid in any way the widening of the very serious conflict underway and preferring instead dialogue, negotiation and peace.”

The Vatican has tried to maintain a balanced position on the war between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza. It has reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and called for Hamas to release the hostages it seized during its October 7 assault, but has also demanded a ceasefire, an end to the conflict and for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinian civilians.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.