(UCAN): The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India expressed solidarity with the pope in a statement issued April 14 and backed Pope Leo XIV’s call for lasting peace in the conflict-scarred Middle East and criticised US president, Donald Trump, as his unprecedented jibe at the pope continues to incur a global backlash.
The statement, signed by the conference’s deputy secretary-general, Father Stephen Alathara, said the pope’s appeal carries “moral and spiritual significance” and described it as a timely reminder to the global community “to choose dialogue over confrontation.”
As violence, fear and uncertainty continue to grip the region, the conference said the pope’s voice remains “a beacon of hope, urging nations to pursue peace through diplomatic and humanitarian means.”
It added that the Holy Father’s repeated appeals to world leaders seek “to cease hostilities, safeguard innocent lives, and engage in constructive dialogue.”
The statement also highlighted the grave humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict, including widespread displacement, suffering, and loss of life, particularly among the most vulnerable.
The bishops called on the faithful, religious communities, and all people of goodwill to intensify prayers for peace in the region, for wisdom among world leaders, and for the protection of innocent lives.
Meanwhile, Catholic groups criticised Trump for his social media attacks on the pope after the pontiff condemned the US-Israeli war against Iran.
“We as Christians are called to be peacemakers in this world, and so we must stand by what the Holy Father has said,” Elias Vas, president of the All-India Catholic Union, said on April 14.
“The pope has simply asked people everywhere to work for peace. The Church has always stood against war and conflict,” Vas said.
