As US-backed Israeli airstrikes continue to target Iranian territory, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Latin Archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan, has called for renewed dialogue and peace amid growing fears of a wider humanitarian disaster.
In a reflection sent to AsiaNews, the prelate described the first week of the war from inside Iran’s capital, where he and the local Catholic community remain under the threat of nightly bombardments.
“In the 11th district of Tehran, where I am staying, the air defense is mostly very active at night,” Cardinal Mathieu wrote.
“It may seem strange, but it is reassuring. This is because there are no shelters and there are no sirens. So we head following the sound. And in no time at all, we learn to distinguish,” he added.
The prelate underscored the war’s “asymmetric” nature, noting that the armed forces of Israel and Iran “are not physically in contact with each other, because there is no common border. Everything happens through airspace and remote control.”
Thousands of Iranians are fleeing the capital, with embassies considering evacuations amid reports of large-scale strikes.
According to Cardinal Mathieu, “some embassies are waiting until the end of the week before planning evacuations. Others have sent their nationals by road to neighboring countries to repatriate.”
The cardinal warned of grave environmental and humanitarian risks, including the “release of radiation and toxic gases,” and urged a return to negotiations.
“I am not taking sides for any party involved, but it is clear that war is not the solution,” he wrote. “It is better that they return to the negotiating table. This is what we pray for,” he said.
The archbishop cited Ephesians 2:14–16, affirming that Christ “has made the two one people… breaking down the dividing wall that divided them.”
He expressed gratitude for the solidarity received and assured others of the community’s prayers amid the crisis.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV echoed calls for peace during his weekly General Audience at the Vatican, denouncing the escalation in Iran, Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
“We must never become accustomed to war,” he said, warning against the “allure of powerful and sophisticated weapons.”
The pope cited his predecessor, Pope Francis, and wartime pontiff Pius XII, declaring, “War is always a defeat… Nothing is lost with peace. Everything can be lost with war.”
The World Council of Churches has added its voice to the growing international condemnation of the Israeli assault on Iranian territory.
Rev. Jerry Pillay, the Council’s general secretary, described the military strikes as “an unlawful act that violates international law and the sovereignty of a nation-state.”
He warned that the escalation not only threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East but also “risks triggering a catastrophic war with global implications.”
Pillay further lamented that the attack “gravely undermines the pursuit of peace, justice, and human dignity,” and jeopardizes ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve regional tensions.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified since Israel launched a series of airstrikes reportedly aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Over 220 people, including senior military officials and nuclear scientists, have been killed in the initial strikes on Tehran, according to reports.
Iran retaliated by firing more than 400 missiles at Israel, with 40 reportedly breaching air defenses and killing at least 24 people. Israeli forces claim they hit 20 targets in Iran overnight, while humanitarian concerns rise as civilians bear the brunt of the crossfire.
In Gaza, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. On Tuesday, Israeli tanks reportedly fired at crowds awaiting aid trucks, killing nearly 60 and injuring more than 220. The incident is under investigation, Israeli authorities said.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023. Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced.
