Pope Leo XIV made an impassioned appeal for an end to hostilities and for ensuring peace in Yemen at the conclusion of the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace this Sunday, October 25, before some 20,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The Holy Father expressed his concern over «the grave humanitarian situation in Yemen, particularly in the city of Taiz, where the population suffers from a lack of food, water, and medical care,» and issued «a heartfelt appeal for an end to hostilities and for guaranteeing the Yemeni people and all peoples of the region the possibility of living in peace.»
Confirmed Facts
During his address, the Pontiff also recalled the «terrorist attack against the faithful of the Orthodox Church of St. George in Hammoud, Jordan,» and assured that he remains in prayer, especially «for all those who were killed and wounded last Friday.» He also expressed his closeness to «the community and the entire country, which is distinguished by peaceful coexistence and respect among different religions.»
Pope Leo XIV insisted before the thousands of faithful on his call to continue praying for peace from anywhere in the world and, in a special way, from Assisi, where the 40th anniversary of the «Unarmed and Disarming Peace» meeting will be commemorated. «The day after tomorrow, October 27, let us unite spiritually with the Heads of Churches and Religious Leaders who will gather in Assisi on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the meeting convened by St. John Paul II. Never as today is it so evident that wars, besides sowing death and destruction, impoverish and harm the world. May the Lord inspire decisions of dialogue and peace!» he stated.
However, due to his recent surgery and the advice of his attending physicians, Pope Leo will not be able to attend the event in Assisi in person. After the prayer, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square and thanked the members of the Centro Académico Romano Fundación from Spain; the group from St. Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley, Ireland; and the «St. John Paul II» schools of the Diocese of Opole, Poland. He also greeted the heads of protocol of some Italian ministries and government offices, as well as the members of the «Solidarity in Good Hands» Association from Castiglion Fiorentino, and the group of people of the same age from Concorezzo, who have come on pilgrimage for their 70th birthdays.
Context and Relevance
Pope Leo XIV’s call comes in a context of humanitarian suffering in Yemen and violence against religious communities in Jordan. The mention of the attack against the Orthodox Church of St. George in Hammoud, which occurred the previous Friday, underscores the Pontiff’s concern for the safety of Christian faithful in the region and his recognition of peaceful coexistence among religions in Jordan. The invitation to unite spiritually with the Assisi meeting, which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the day convened by St. John Paul II, reinforces the call to prayer and dialogue as paths to peace. The Pope’s inability to attend Assisi in person, due to his recent surgery and medical advice, does not prevent his spiritual participation in an event that seeks to inspire decisions of dialogue and peace in a world marked by conflicts.
Original source: www.vaticannews.va (published October 25, 2026)
