Originally published at The Crux
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Pope Leo XIV called for prayer and effort for peace on Tuesday, as a U.S.-Israeli air campaign continued for the fourth day in Iran.
“Pray for peace,” Leo told journalists gathered outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday evening. “Work for peace,” the pontiff said, “less hatred – hatred in the world is constantly increasing.”
The pope called for people everywhere “to truly strive to promote dialogue” and “seek solutions – to resolve problems without weapons.”
By Tuesday evening, the conflict had spread to several countries throughout the Mideast region.
Israeli forces responded to Hezbollah attacks in Lebanon on Monday and struck targets in Beirut on Tuesday, while the U.S. embassies in Dubai and Riyadh suffered drone attacks.
Since the air campaign against the theocratic regime in Iran began on Saturday, Iran has hit targets in Bahrain, Qatar, other targets in the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, and Oman
The conflict has almost entirely halted commercial traffic in Strait of Hormuz, the maritime shipping lane off the southern coast of Iran, through which nearly 20 percent of the oil consumed worldwide passes each day.
Prices have skyrocketed and insurance carriers have canceled coverage for ships traveling through the
