Pope Leo XIV Urges Yemen Peace, Taiz Aid

Pope Leo XIV spoke after the Sunday Angelus prayer on Oct. 25, 2026, and in that single address both appealed for an end to hostilities in Yemen and offered prayers for victims of a church attack in Jordan. "I make a heartfelt appeal for hostilities to cease and for the Yemeni people and all the peoples of the region to be guaranteed a life of peace," he said, pointing to shortages of food, water and medical supplies in Taiz. Yemen's conflict began when Houthi rebels seized Sanaa in 2014; a Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government. Houthis control much of northern and western Yemen; government forces and allies hold Aden and most southern and eastern provinces. On the Oct. 23 attack at St. George's Orthodox Church in Harmoud, Jordan, where nine were killed and about 40 injured during a funeral, he said: "I am close to that community and to the entire country, which stands out for its peaceful coexistence and respect among different religions." He added: "Let us continue to pray together for peace… Never before has it been so evident that wars, besides sowing death and destruction, impoverish and damage the world." And: "May the Lord inspire choices of dialogue and peace." No contested claims found.