Speaking at St. Peter’s Square after his Regina Coeli prayer, the pontiff said he felt “closer than ever” to Lebanon amid escalating violence, describing a moral obligation under international law to shield civilians from the effects of war.“

The principle of humanity entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war,” he said, addressing crowds gathered at the Vatican.

Lebanon has been drawn into the regional conflict since last month, as Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 2,000 people killed.

Without naming specific countries, the pope urged warring sides to seek a peaceful resolution, reiterating calls for dialogue and mediation over continued military escalation.

His remarks followed the failure of recent talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan to reach an agreement aimed at ending the broader conflict.

On Saturday, the pope delivered one of his strongest appeals yet against the war, calling on leaders to halt hostilities and return to negotiations. “Stop! It is time for peace!” he said, criticizing what he described as a growing reliance on rearmament and displays of power.

The 70-year-old pontiff, who leads the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, has repeatedly called for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

He is scheduled to travel to Algeria on Monday for an 11-day visit focused on interfaith dialogue and strengthening ties with the Islamic world.

Vatican officials said the trip is intended to engage with the Islamic world and address broader challenges of coexistence amid global tensions.The Algeria leg will be the first stop in a wider travel that includes Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, covering approximately 18,000 kilometers between April 13 and 23.

During his visit to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and address government officials and diplomats. He will also visit the Great Mosque of Algiers and meet members of the Catholic community, while holding private prayers for clergy killed during Algeria’s civil war in the 1990s.

A key moment of the trip will come in Annaba, historically associated with Saint Augustine, whose legacy has influenced the pope’s spiritual outlook. Leo, formerly Robert Francis Prevost and a member of the Augustinian order, has often described himself as a “son” of Augustine.

The visit comes as rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, EuroMed Rights and MENA Rights Group, have urged the Vatican to address concerns over restrictions on religious minorities in Algeria.

Algerian officials and local media have highlighted the symbolic significance of the visit, describing it as a reflection of the country’s stability and its role in fostering dialogue on the global stage.

The trip unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the Vatican emphasizing a message centered on interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence.