Nigeria, March 16 -- Pope Leo XIV has urged an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, calling on all parties to halt hostilities and return to dialogue to pursue peace.

In a post on X on Sunday, the pontiff made a passionate appeal for a ceasefire in the region.

"On behalf of the Christians of the #MiddleEast, and of all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: cease fire!

"May paths of dialogue be reopened! Violence can never lead to the justice, stability and peace for which the people are waiting," he wrote.

There is no indication the pope's call will be heeded. All parties to the conflict have so far rejected ceasefire calls.

The war, which began when the US and Israel launched an unpr...