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Pope Leo appealed on Saturday for authorities in Iran and Israel to act with "reason" after airstrikes between the two countries killed dozens, Reuters reported.
The Pope called on the nations to pursue dialogue.
Pope Leo told an audience in St. Peter's Basilica he was following the situation with "great concern,” Reuters reported.
"In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason," said the Pope, according to Reuters.
"The commitment to building a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good," he said, according to Reuters.
"No one should ever threaten the existence of another," said Leo. "It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all."
Israel launched what it calls Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities in the early hours of Friday, calling it a preemptive strike designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied plans to develop such weapons. Tehran retaliated by launching counterstrikes against Israel.