Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the US bishops' conference, voiced support for renewed calls for peace in Iran, aligning the U.S. bishops with Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for a ceasefire and negotiated resolution to the conflict.
In a statement issued April 1, the archbishop urged sustained prayer and diplomatic engagement during Holy Week. “During this holiest of weeks, let us continue to pray ardently for mutually respectful and effective dialogue that leads to a cease-fire and a negotiated end to the conflict with Iran,” he said.
The statement follows remarks by Pope Leo XIV on Palm Sunday, which marked the beginning of Holy Week. The Pope drew attention to those suffering amid ongoing violence, saying that as the Church contemplates Christ’s Passion, it must not overlook those who “are truly sharing in his suffering” today.
The Holy Father also spoke about peace and called for a Holy Week truce on Tuesday, as he was leaving Castel Gandolfo. (See article below regarding "off-ramp.")
Archbishop Coakley also addressed recent signals from the U.S. Administration suggesting that hostilities with Iran may soon de-escalate. He welcomed those indications, while cautioning that prolonged conflict increases the risk of broader instability in the region.
“The longer the conflict with Iran continues, including the risk of deploying ground troops to the region, the greater the risk of a dramatic escalation,” he said. “I welcome the Administration’s indications that the war with Iran may soon be coming to an end.”
He added that decisive steps are needed to prevent further deterioration, calling on all parties involved to pursue an immediate ceasefire and meaningful dialogue. The archbishop characterized the situation as a “dangerous impasse” requiring urgent attention from both political leaders and the international community.
Echoing the Pope’s message, Archbishop Coakley emphasized the incompatibility of using God as a justification of war. Quoting Leo XIV, he said: “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.”
The statement places the Church’s response within the liturgical context of Holy Week, a period central to Christian belief and practice. Archbishop Coakley encouraged the faithful to draw on the spiritual significance of the season, particularly as Easter approaches, to renew their commitment to peace.
“Emboldened by Easter’s powerful, transformative grace, I urge the faithful to continue praying ardently,” he said, adding that Christians are called to be “peacemakers” and witnesses in the world.
The archbishop’s remarks highlight a consistent emphasis by Church leaders on diplomacy and nonviolence, particularly in times of heightened geopolitical tension. His statement also reinforces the role of prayer and moral witness as part of the Church’s public response to international conflict.
While acknowledging political developments, Archbishop Coakley’s message centers on the need for restraint, dialogue, and a swift end to hostilities. His appeal reflects a broader effort by Catholic leaders to frame global conflicts through both humanitarian concern and theological conviction.
