Tehran Archbishop Calls for End to Retaliation as Vatican Vigil Highlights Global War Crisis
Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, has issued a powerful appeal for peace, urging world leaders to abandon the cycle of retaliation and seek dialogue to end ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Gulf region. Speaking during a prayer vigil held in Rome at the start of Holy Week, he called for an immediate shift away from violence, warning that continued escalation only deepens suffering. The vigil, held at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, brought together Church leaders and faithful to reflect on the growing number of global conflicts and the urgent need for reconciliation.
The gathering was presided over by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, and formed part of an ongoing initiative focused on peace and spiritual reflection. Cardinal Mathieu, who was recently forced to leave Tehran amid rising tensions, spoke with urgency about the human cost of war. He invoked a message rooted in past Church teachings, emphasizing that war leads only to destruction and grief. His remarks centered on the need to replace revenge with patience, dialogue and meaningful gestures that can open pathways toward peace.
The vigil also drew attention to conflicts that often receive limited global attention, including crises in parts of Africa such as Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. However, particular concern remained focused on the Middle East and the Holy Land, where tensions continue to affect religious life and access to sacred sites. Participants noted recent developments allowing Holy Week celebrations to proceed in Jerusalem under strict security conditions, reflecting both ongoing challenges and cautious signs of accommodation amid conflict.
Church leaders used the moment to reflect on the deeper spiritual implications of war, highlighting the suffering of innocent people caught in violence. Cardinal Reina described the current global situation as a profound moral crisis, stating that humanity appears to be repeating past mistakes despite the lessons of history. He stressed that the logic of violence only produces further destruction, urging a collective return to values rooted in peace, compassion and human dignity. His message echoed the broader Vatican position that peace must be actively pursued rather than assumed.
The symbolism of the vigil location, a basilica associated with relics of the Cross, reinforced the connection between faith and the realities of suffering in the modern world. Church leaders emphasized that the message of Christianity places peace at its center, urging believers to recognize the presence of suffering in contemporary conflicts and respond with action and prayer. The gathering served as both a spiritual reflection and a call to global responsibility, highlighting the role of faith communities in advocating for peace.
As conflicts continue to unfold across multiple regions, the Vatican’s renewed emphasis on dialogue and reconciliation adds to growing international concern over the direction of global stability. The appeal from Cardinal Mathieu and other Church leaders underscores the urgency of breaking cycles of retaliation and seeking solutions that prioritize human life. With tensions showing little sign of immediate resolution, such calls are expected to remain central to the Church’s global message in the coming months.
