Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed for an end to the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, calling on all parties to seek dialogue and protect vulnerable civilians.
“I pray for those affected by the clashes along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, especially displaced children and families,” the pope said during his Angelus message in St. Peter’s Square. “May the Prince of Peace inspire everyone to seek dialogue and reconciliation.”
The pontiff’s remarks came amid rising tensions and renewed hostilities in disputed border areas, which have forced tens of thousands to flee their homes and triggered international concern over the potential for a wider conflict.
“My heart is close to all those who are suffering due to conflict and violence throughout the world,” he said, expressing solidarity with communities affected by war and displacement globally.
He went on to highlight other humanitarian crises, including the violence in southern Syria and worsening conditions in Gaza. “I renew my heartfelt appeal for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the full respect of humanitarian law,” he said.
“Every human person possesses an inherent dignity, bestowed by God himself,” the pope added. “I urge all parties involved in conflicts to recognize this dignity and to end every action that violates it. I call for negotiations aimed at securing a future of peace for all peoples, and for the rejection of anything that might jeopardize it.”
Following his reflection on the Sunday Gospel, Pope Leo reminded Christians that true prayer must be matched by action rooted in mercy and compassion.
The pope emphasized that calling God “Father” in prayer must be accompanied by a spirit of compassion and mercy in daily life.
He warned against the contradiction of professing faith while harboring cruelty or indifference toward others, drawing from early Church teachings that stress the need for one’s actions to reflect the kindness of the heavenly Father.
In his catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer, the pope encouraged the faithful to recognize the “grace of being children of God” and to express this through charity. “Let us ask Mary to help us respond to this call, so that we may manifest the sweetness of the Father’s face,” he said.
“I entrust to Mary, Queen of Peace, the innocent victims of conflicts and those leaders who have the power to resolve them,” the pope said.
The pope’s call for peace came as Thailand and Cambodia braced for high-level peace talks set to begin Monday in Kuala Lumpur under the auspices of ASEAN. The conflict, which erupted on July 24, has left at least 34 people dead—among them soldiers and civilians on both sides—and displaced more than 200,000 residents, according to official tallies.
Fighting has centered on the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples, both located in contested areas along the mountainous frontier. Fresh artillery exchanges were reported Sunday, with both governments accusing the other of initiating attacks.
Phnom Penh claimed Thai forces began shelling temple zones at 4:50 a.m., while Bangkok alleged Cambodian troops fired first, targeting homes in Thailand’s Surin province.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs ASEAN, said both governments had requested his mediation and stressed the urgent need for an “immediate ceasefire.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, who held calls with both leaders over the weekend, said he expects a truce to be reached soon and linked future trade agreements to the resolution of the crisis.
Nationalist fervor has flared on both sides, prompting the Thai government to warn its citizens against anti-Cambodian attacks. Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions—an allegation Bangkok denies.
