Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pizzaballa Issues Prayer for Peace and Middle East Cardinals Urge for Prayer Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

 

On Friday, June 13, Israel initiated strikes at Iran which have killed nearly 300 people and many injured, as of June 16th. Retaliatory strikes by Iran have caused about 24 deaths in Israel and more than 500 injured, Israeli officials said. (Image from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday)
U.S. President Donald Trump is departing from the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, early because he's needed to address what's taking place in the Middle East, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a social media post late Monday. (Source: CBC News)
In Iran, Tehran's Cardinal Joseph Mathieu, issued an early call for dialogue and urged leaders to avoid striking each other. (SEE: https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2025/06/breaking-cardinal-mathieu-archbishop-of.html)
According to the Official website of the Chaldean Patriarcate, Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako called Archbishop Imad Khoshabeh, Chaldean Archbishop of Tehran and Patriarchal Administrator of Urmia, on June 13. Cardinal Sako assured Cardinal Mathieu of his prayers for an end to this brutal war. Below is the statement issued by His Beatitude Patriarch Sako: The situation in the region is deeply worrying, especially in the wake of the recent military attacks. This escalation exposes the region to risks that are difficult to contain. While we express our concern about what is happening, we call on everyone to exercise wisdom and return to the dialogue table to resolve differences. We call on the international community to help reduce tensions and strive to achieve peace and security based on international law, fraternity, and the common good. I call on all our churches to offer prayers for the return of peace and stability to the region and for a return to normal life, especially during tomorrow's Sunday masses. (Source: https://chaldeanpatriarchate.com/2025/06/14/42609/)
The Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa issued an urgent call for prayer on his Official X account:
 Prayer for Peace 

Let Us Pray Together for a Just Peace

O God of Peace, "You are the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8). You have said: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to

you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (Jn 14:27).

We lift our weary hearts to You, Lord, Longing for Your light amid the shadows of fear and unrest. Teach us to be peacemakers, For "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" (Mt 5:9). Sow in us the seeds of reconciliation, and make us instru- ments of Your peace in a wounded world.

Grant us the grace to live as You have commanded: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Rom 12:18). Let there be in our cities and lands: "Peace within your walls, and security within your towers" (Ps 122:7). In the midst of trouble, we proclaim: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Ps 27:1). "I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Ps 4:8).

We trust in Your everlasting promise: "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mt 28:20). Amen.


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