Pope appeals for end to hostilities in Yemen and prays for Jordan attack victims

Pope Leo XIV addresses the faithful after leading the Sunday Angelus on Oct. 25, 2026, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV appealed for an end to hostilities in Yemen and prayed for the victims of a terrorist attack against churchgoers in Jordan, as he addressed the faithful following the Angelus on Sunday, 25 October.

The Pope also looked ahead to the gathering of Church leaders and religious leaders in Assisi on 27 October, marking forty years since the meeting convened by Saint John Paul II.

Appeal for Yemen

Expressing concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Yemen, Pope Leo drew particular attention to the city of Taiz, “where the population is suffering from a lack of food, water and medical care”.

“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.

In Taiz, fighting and road closures have cut off vital supplies, leaving civilians facing growing shortages of water, food and fuel. The United Nations has called for urgent humanitarian access, warning that hospitals are struggling to maintain essential services as stocks of medicines and oxygen run low. Shortages are also threatening community kitchens that provide meals to vulnerable families.

Victims in Jordan

Turning to Jordan, Pope Leo assured his prayers for those killed and injured in Friday’s attack against the faithful of St George’s Orthodox Church in Harmoud.

“I am close to that community and to the entire country, which stands out for its peaceful coexistence and respect among different religions,” he said.

Nine people were killed and around forty wounded when gunmen opened fire during a funeral at the church in Jordan’s Karak governorate on the 23rd of October. Authorities are continuing their search for the attackers, and no group has claimed responsibility.

Forty years since 1986 Assisi prayer gathering

“Let us continue to pray together for peace,” the Pope urged, inviting the faithful to unite spiritually with the Church leaders and religious leaders gathering in Assisi on Tuesday, the 27th of October.

The meeting marks the fortieth anniversary of the gathering convened by Saint John Paul II in 1986, which brought together representatives of different religions to pray for peace.

“Never before has it been so evident that wars, besides sowing death and destruction, impoverish and damage the world,” Pope Leo said.

“May the Lord inspire choices of dialogue and peace,” he concluded.