Pope Leo XIV has appealed for a ceasefire in the Middle East as the conflict entered its 12th day, with missile strikes continuing to claim the lives of many civilians, including children.

The Catholic Church leader expressed deep sorrow over the rising number of victims as hostilities persist between the warring nations.

In a statement, the Holy See Press Office said the Pope is closely following developments in the region and is praying for an end to the violence.

“Pope Leo XIV expresses profound sorrow for all the victims of the bombings in these days in the Middle East, for the many innocents, including many children, and for those who were helping them,” the statement said.

The Pope also expressed sadness over the death of Fr. Pierre El-Rahi, a Maronite priest who was killed while assisting parishioners in Qlayaa, Lebanon.

According to Lebanese media reports, Fr. El-Rahi rushed to help residents whose house had been hit by an Israeli tank. While he and several young volunteers were at the scene, the tank reportedly fired again, seriously wounding the priest.

Fr. El-Rahi was brought to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.

Fr. Toufic Bou Merhi, the Latin-rite parish priest in Tyre and Deirmimas, told Vatican News that the 50-year-old priest was a devoted pastor who chose to remain with his parishioners despite Israeli evacuation orders in the area.

The priest’s death has left the Christian community in the region grieving and fearful.

“Up to now, people haven't wanted to leave their homes in Christian villages, but in this situation everything has changed,” Fr. Merhi said. “Leaving home means living on the streets or trying to rent another place, but people can't afford it, especially given the country’s already dire economic situation.”

Meanwhile, Catholic bishops in Asia joined the Pope in calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The Central Committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences expressed “deep anguish and grave concern” over the continuing exchange of missile attacks between Israel, aided by the United States, and Iran.

“We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to exercise moral responsibility, resisting the spiral of escalation that leads only to deeper suffering and irreversible loss,” the bishops said in a statement issued during their recent conference in Bangkok, Thailand.