Pope Leo calls for an end to 'spiral of violence' after Iran strikes, Afghan/Pakistan conflict

Reuters. Pope Leo said on Sunday (March 1) that he is following events after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran with "deep concern" and made an impassioned appeal to stop what he called a "spiral of violence."

"Stability and peace are not built through mutual threats or through weapons ... but only through reasonable, genuine, and responsible dialogue," the pope said during his weekly address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after a Sunday prayer.

Speaking about ongoing clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces, he appealed for "an urgent resumption of dialogue". 

He also remembered the victims and people displaced by the heavy rains that hit Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais, in which at least 46 people have died according to figures released by the state fire department on Wednesday.