Pope Leo XIV on Saturday urged the governments of Iran and Israel to “act with reason” and called on the peoples of both countries to continue dialogue, Reuters reports.

Leo, delivering one of the most forceful appeals for peace during his five-week papacy, told an audience at St. Peter’s Basilica that he is watching the situation with “great concern.”

“In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to once again call for responsibility and reason,” said the Pope. “The pursuit of a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, must be carried out through respectful meetings and sincere dialogue, to build a lasting peace based on justice, fraternity, and the common good.”

“No one should ever threaten the existence of another. It is the duty of all nations to uphold the cause of peace by initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all,” the Pope added.