TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appealed to Pope Francis for intervention to halt ongoing Israeli violence in the region, which has wreaked havoc in Gaza and Lebanon and could spread to other parts of West Asia any second. 

The Iranian president’s message was delivered to the head of the Catholic Church on Wednesday by Mohammad Mahdi Imanipour, the head of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization. The message's text was published by the president’s official website the same day. 

Imanipour is heading an Iranian delegation that has taken part in the 12th edition of the interfaith dialogue between Iran and the Vatican, held on November 19 and 20. 

In his message, Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for the Vatican's condemnation of Israeli actions. 

The message lauded the Pope's contributions to global peace and interfaith understanding, aligning with Iran's foreign policy priorities of international peace and reconciliation. Pezeshkian expressed hope for strengthened cooperation between Iran and the Vatican to advance global peace and justice.

“Genocide and extensive destruction of urban and health infrastructures are taking place at a time when the majority of the martyrs and the injured are children and women”, the president said, expressing regret that these violations of human rights are being committed in holy lands that have been the birthplace of prophets and messengers of peace and tranquility for mankind.

Given the escalating regional instability, Pezeshkian implored Pope Francis, as a leader of the global Catholic community, to act to prevent further aggression, secure a ceasefire, and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery. He further called upon global leaders, especially those from Christian nations, to actively engage on this issue, believing that immediate intervention could significantly improve the plight of the wounded and those affected by the conflict.

Israel unleashed an unprecedented war against the besieged Gaza Strip over a year ago. The majority of the enclave’s population is now internally displaced, with little to no access to food, water, and medical services. Over 43,000 Gazans are dead.

Israel’s separate attacks on Lebanon have also left a carnage of over 3,000 people and displaced tens of thousands of the Lebanese population. 

The regime has also launched attacks against Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen over the past year. Analysts believe that if not reined in, Israel will start a full-on regional conflagration with international and reverberating consequences sooner or later.