Pope Leo XIV calls for global action to protect Middle Eastern Christians: “Christians must be given the opportunity, and not just in words, to remain in their native lands with all the rights needed for a secure existence.”

VATICAN — During the audience to participants in the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches, Pope Leo XIV praised Christian communities in the Middle East for their resilience in the face of war, marginalization, and persecution. He issued a call to the international community to ensure that Christians can remain in their ancestral homelands with full rights and protections.

“These communities endure and remain in their native lands, resisting the temptation to leave,” the Pope said. “Christians must be granted the opportunity to stay in their original territories, with all the rights necessary for a safe and dignified life.”

Urging Concrete Support and Protection

The Pope underscored that beyond rhetorical gestures, there must be concrete action to protect Christians facing existential threats. He warned against allowing these communities to rely solely on promises, insisting that real opportunities must be created for them to continue living in dignity.

“Christians must be given the opportunity, and not just in words, to remain in their native lands with all the rights needed for a secure existence,” said Pope Leo. He called on all parties — both regional actors and the global community — to work toward building conditions that promote peace and dialogue. “We are all called to help create the circumstances necessary for peace and mutual understanding,” he added.

Role of Church Leaders Amid Crisis

The Pontiff emphasized the responsibility of religious leaders to act as witnesses of perseverance and spiritual strength, particularly in regions where persecution is widespread. He pointed to Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Ukraine, and other areas where Eastern Catholic Churches and their congregations continue to suffer.

“The heads of Eastern Catholic Churches, along with their faithful who endure persecution in places such as Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Ukraine, and elsewhere, are called to continue bearing witness to the patience and resilience of Christians,” he said. “These communities remain committed to their language, faith, identity, and mission.”

Advocating for Peace Over Conflict

In his remarks, Pope Leo also issued a broader warning against ideological polarization, particularly narratives that oversimplify conflicts by dividing the world into binary categories of good and evil.

“Every conflict that arises close to us is a call to raise the voice of peace over the noise of war — war that only brings pain and destruction,” he said. “We must be cautious of simplistic narratives with ideological or philosophical roots that divide the world into peaceful and evil actors. Such views often fuel hatred more than they promote humanity.”

The Pope concluded with an appeal to recognize the humanity in every individual, regardless of background or belief. He stressed the importance of overcoming divisive worldviews and working instead toward coexistence and reconciliation.

“Humanity is called to transcend the division between good and evil, and to see the ‘other’ not as an enemy, but as a human being like ourselves,” he said.