Pope warns against ‘spiral of violence’ after Iran attack

Pope Francis on Sunday made a “pressing appeal” against a “spiral of violence” after Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, warning of a potential regional conflagration.

“I make a pressing appeal for an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,” the Argentinian pontiff declared following his traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

“I am praying and following with concern, but also pain, the news that has come in recent hours about the worsening situation in Israel due to Iran’s intervention,” the pope told worshippers.

“No one should threaten the existence of others. All countries must, however, side with peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side and in security,” he said.

“That is their right,” Francis insisted as he once again repeated earlier calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and “negotiation.”

The pontiff futhermore demanded the world “help the population facing a humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and urged the “immediate release of the hostages kidnapped months ago” by Hamas, setting in train the latest chapter of violence in the region.

Pope Francis on Sunday made a "pressing appeal" against a "spiral of violence" after Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, warning of a potential regional conflagration.
Pope Francis on Sunday made a "pressing appeal" against a "spiral of violence" after Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, warning of a potential regional conflagration.
The National Coordinator, Financing Safe Schools Initiative, Mrs Halima Iliya, says plans are underway to actively engage hunters and vigilantes on intelligence gathering to curb attacks on schools across the country.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has said that the erstwhile fuel subsidy was a monster which had deprived Nigerians of a myriad of social amenities.
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel in its unprecedented attack overnight, injuring at least 12 people, an Israeli army spokesman said Sunday.
The Nigerian Army Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in North-West has neutralised 12 bandists, recovered weapons, AK-47 rifle, 1 magazine and 2 rounds of 7.62mm and 18 cows.
Iran on Sunday urged Israel not to retaliate militarily to an unprecedented attack overnight, which Tehran presented as a justified response to a strike that destroyed its consulate building in Damascus earlier this month.
Nigeria may struggle to find buyers for its crude oil as about 30 out of 53 cargoes loading for May are stranded. This is coming despite the low production currently being experienced in the country as Angola
The country’s manufacturing sector has further suffered more setbacks as one of its biggest players, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, has suspended operations in two of its nine breweries.
A seasoned professional and education consultant, Oluwafemi Dairo, has harped on the need for the government and other stakeholders in the education sector to engage experts in Mathematics curriculum to tutor students to pass the subject with ease.
Despite the appreciation in the value of the naira against the dollar lately, the N16,099,490,084,691 provision for debt financing as well as debt servicing and sinking fund required to service Nigeria’s debt in 2024 may rise by 48.38 per cent.