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Top Vatican Cardinal Urges Trump, Israel to End War 'as Soon as Possible'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 18, 2026
Quick Summary
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin issued an unusually direct appeal on March 18, 2026, urging U.S. President Trump to end the expanding Iran war swiftly and calling on Israel to halt its strikes on Lebanon.
Vatican Cardinal Urges Trump and Israel to End Iran War and Strikes
Vatican's Diplomatic Appeal for Peace in the Middle East
By Joshua McElwee
Cardinal Parolin's Direct Message to Trump and Israel
ROME, March 18 (Reuters) - The Vatican's top diplomat on Wednesday called on U.S. President Donald Trump to end the expanding Iran war as soon as possible and suggested Israel should also stop its strikes against Lebanon.
Unprecedented Public Statement
"I would say to finish it as soon as possible ... and to leave alone Lebanon," Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a senior advisor to the American Pope Leo, said in an unusually direct appeal.
"This message goes also to the Israelis," he added, speaking to journalists at an event at the Italian parliament.
Vatican's Usual Approach to Diplomacy
Vatican diplomats do not usually make direct appeals for action by foreign leaders, preferring to work behind the scenes. Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013, is known for speaking in muted tones, and seeking to avoid the spotlight.
Pope Leo's Recent Advocacy
Leo, who also known for speaking diplomatically, has been ramping up calls for an end to the Iran war in recent days.
Media's Role in Conflict Reporting
On Monday, he urged journalists to highlight the suffering caused by war, cautioning against news reports that risk sliding into propaganda by glorifying conflicts.
Concerns Over Escalation and Call for Diplomacy
Parolin said on Wednesday he was worried that the conflict would continue to escalate. He called on Trump and other world leaders "to resolve problems ... through the peaceful ways of diplomacy and dialogue".
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Alvise Armellini)
Key Takeaways
- •Cardinal Parolin made a rare public plea for action by foreign leaders, emphasizing diplomacy over force.
- •He warned the ongoing U.S.–Israeli attacks undermine international law and the concept of ‘preventive war’.
- •Pope Leo XIV has been intensifying calls for ceasefires and peace in recent weeks, including condemning a “spiral of violence.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Top Vatican cardinal urges Trump, Israel to end war 'as soon as possible'
1What did the Vatican cardinal urge President Trump to do?
Cardinal Pietro Parolin urged President Trump to end the Iran war as soon as possible and to seek peaceful solutions through diplomacy.
2Why did the Vatican address Israel in its statement?
The Vatican urged Israel to stop its strikes against Lebanon, asking for an end to military actions in the region.
3What is unusual about the Vatican's appeal?
Vatican diplomats rarely make direct public appeals to foreign leaders, usually working behind the scenes. This direct statement is unusual and significant.
4What concerns did Cardinal Parolin express about the conflict?
He expressed concerns about the escalation of the war and called for resolving conflicts through diplomacy and dialogue instead of further violence.
5How has Pope Leo responded to the ongoing Middle East conflict?
Pope Leo has increased calls for ending the Iran war, urging journalists to show the suffering caused and avoid glorifying the conflict.