The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on April 1 urged an immediate ceasefire in the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, echoing appeals by Pope Leo XIV and quoting the Holy Father’s message that no one can use Jesus, King of Peace, to justify war.
Archbishop Paul Coakley said in a statement that the faithful should “pray ardently for mutually respectful and effective dialogue that leads to a cease-fire and a negotiated end to the conflict with Iran,” tying that appeal to the observance of Holy Week.
“The longer the conflict with Iran continues, including the risk of deploying ground troops to the region, the greater the risk of a dramatic escalation risking an ever-greater regional conflict,” Archbishop Coakley wrote. “I welcome the Administration’s indications that the war with Iran may soon be coming to an end.”
He added that he was joining the Pope’s “urgent calls” for all parties to take “decisive action toward an immediate ceasefire” and pursue dialogue to resolve what the archbishop described as a “dangerous impasse.”
The statement echoed remarks made by Pope Leo on Palm Sunday, when he said, “Just as the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today are truly sharing in his suffering.”
As Zeale News previously reported, in separate remarks to journalists March 31, the Pope said he hoped President Donald Trump would seek “an ‘off-ramp’” to reduce violence, adding, “I appeal to all leaders: Come back to the table, to dialogue.”
Quoting the Holy Father, Archbishop Coakley emphasized the Church’s restrictive teachings on war, appealing to “Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.”
The archbishop urged Christians, especially during the Easter season, to embrace their role as peacemakers.
“Emboldened by Easter’s powerful, transformative grace, I urge the faithful to continue praying ardently for mutual respectful and effective dialogue,” Archbishop Coakley said, “and that we Christians be true to our vocation as peacemakers, the ‘light of the world’ and the ‘salt of the earth’ (Matthew 5:13-14).”