US bombs Iran nuclear sites as Pope Leo, bishops plead for peace

(OSV News) -- The U.S. has attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran, in a move that comes amid repeated pleas from Pope Leo XIV and other church leaders for peace and dialogue in ending multiple conflicts throughout the world, including that between Israel and Iran.

In a brief address to the nation from Washington at 10 p.m. June 21, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. military had carried out "massive, precision strikes on the three key nuclear facilities in the Iranian regime."

Speaking from the White House, Trump said the objective was "the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror."

"Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace," Trump said. "If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier. ... There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days."

Following the strikes, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that his nation "reserves all options" to retaliate, warning the U.S. attack would have "everlasting consequences."

One priest in Israel, whose name and location OSV News is not identifying for safety reasons, said, "The response from Iran after the U.S. attack … has been more intense."

Two days earlier, June 19, Trump had indicated he would decide "in two weeks" whether to intervene on behalf of Israel in its military conflict with Iran. Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" against Iran June 13, calling it a "preemptive" strike to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapon capabilities.

Operation Rising Lion has been met by repeated retaliatory strikes on Israel by Iran -- with some 24 killed in Israel and 400 in Iran, according to authorities in each country. The U.S. strikes on Iran have increased rising fears of a wider regional war breaking out.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a June 21 post on the X social media platform he was "gravely alarmed" by the U.S. use of force, which marked a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge" and "a direct threat to international peace and security."

He called for deescalation and the rule of international law, warning, "At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos."

"There is no military solution," he said. "The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace."

The strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities took place just two days after Pope Leo -- in an exclusive interview with journalist Ignazio Ingrao of RAI, Italy's state media network -- said he wished to renew his "appeal for peace."

"We must try at all costs to avoid the use of weapons and seek dialogue through diplomatic means," the pope told Ingrao. "Let us work together to find solutions."

The sites named by Trump were Fordo, a key uranium enrichment facility located more than 260 feet below ground; Natanz, an enrichment facility previously targeted by Israel as part of its Operation Rising Lion; and Isfahan, a research facility also struck earlier by Israel.

The U.S. assault on Iran was conducted in coordination with Israel, which lacked the U.S. weaponry and aircraft -- specifically, the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, often called the "bunker buster" bomb, and the B-2 Stealth Bomber capable of carrying it -- to destroy the underground Fordo site.

Iran confirmed the strikes, without providing details as to the extent of the damage. Trump said the attacks, which he described as a "spectacular military success," had left the sites "completely and totally obliterated."

He also warned Iran "there are many targets left."

"If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes," he said.

In his interview with Ingrao, Pope Leo said, "Many innocent people are dying, and must always promote peace."

He admitted the situation was "really worrying."

"Day and night, I try to follow what is happening in many parts of the world," said the pope. "Today, we are talking mainly about the Middle East, but it is not only there."

Moments after Trump's media address, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told OSV News in a statement, "With all men and women of goodwill, we beg Almighty God to end the proliferation of acts of war and to inspire dialogue before more innocent people are harmed.

"My heart goes out to all victims and also to those whose lives are in danger," Archbishop Broglio said. "Let us beg the Prince of Peace for an end to hostilities."

Recently retired Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh was also among the first U.S. bishops to issue a statement June 21 in response to the U.S. strikes on Iran, calling for prayers of peace "in these uncertain and fragile moments."

"May our hearts resist fear and turn instead toward hope, compassion and unity," said Bishop Zubik. "Let us ask God to guide world leaders with wisdom, protect the innocent and lead all nations toward a path of lasting peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us."