Manila Archdiocese urges prayers for world peace amid Middle East tensions

The Archdiocese of Manila has called on the Catholic faithful to pray for peace amid continuing tensions in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other parts of the world.

"May I request all parishes, mission stations, shrines, chapels, and communities of consecrated persons in the Archdiocese of Manila to organize communal prayers, Eucharistic Adoration, praying of the rosary, and Eucharistic celebrations for world peace," Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said in a circular dated June 24, 2025.

Advicula also urged the Catholic flock to include the following intention in the Prayer of the Faithful during Eucharistic celebrations starting Wednesday:

"Upang mamayani ang kapayapaan sa Gitnang Silangan, sa Ukraine, at sa buong mundo at ipagadya nawa ang sangkatauhan sa karahasan, kasakiman at pangaabuso ng kapangyarihan na nagdudulot ng paghihirap at kamatayan sa marami. Manalangin tayo sa Panginoon."

(We earnestly pray to God the Father almighty for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the world. May God cleanse the world of all violence, greed, and misuse of power that bring suffering and death to many. Let us pray to the Lord.)

The Manila archdiocese released the circular after Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace during his Angelus message on Sunday.

"War does not solve problems; on the contrary, it amplifies them and inflicts deep wounds on the history of peoples, which take generations to heal. No armed victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fear of children, or stolen futures. May nations chart their futures with works of peace, not with violence and bloodstained conflicts," Pope Leo XIV said.

On June 13, hostilities between Israel and Iran flared as the two countries fired missiles against each other.

Ahead of a self-imposed two-week deadline, US President Donald Trump announced the "very successful attack" of American bombers in Iran, adding that the crown jewel of Tehran's nuclear program, Fordow, is gone.

Iran then attacked a US military base in Doha, which caused the temporary suspension of Qatari air traffic.

Trump later announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was now in place, and asked that both sides not to violate it.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces attacked and set ablaze an oil depot in Russia's southern Rostov region on Wednesday.

This came after Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, killing at least six people.

The United Nations reported that global displacement climbed above 122 million this year due to the unresolved conflicts in countries like Sudan and Ukraine. — VDV, GMA Integrated News