Let us pray for peace, and for our confrere, His Eminence Cardinal Dominique Joseph MATHIEU, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan of the Latins in Iran.

While our Order was celebrating its 203rd Ordinary General Chapter at the Seraphicum College in Rome (June 1-21, 2025), dramatic news was arriving from the Middle East about the conflict recently dubbed “The Twelve-Day War” (June 13–24).

Updates from Iran came not only through the media, but also directly from Tehran, where our confrere, Cardinal Dominique J. MATHIEU, remained throughout the entire conflict. Friar Dominique stayed in constant contact with the Minister General, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI, and with other friars, sharing concerns, difficulties, and above all, a call to unite in prayer.
Even though a truce has been declared, the cardinal continues to urge us to not forget and to not cease praying for peace.

Whoever wishes to read his reflections—a sort of “war diary,” written in the Franciscan spirit of love and hope—can find them on AsiaNews website, an online news agency promoted by the missionaries of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). The site publishes content in Italian, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish, and we are pleased to refer readers to it:

  • Article dated June 19, 2025: “Pray for Talks to Break Down ‘Walls and Hostility’”

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Cardinal-of-Tehran:-Pray-for-talks-to-break-down-%E2%80%9Cwalls-and-hostility%E2%80%9D-63326.html#google_vignette

  • Article dated June 23, 2025: “‘Worst Fears’ with Escalation, No Peace ‘Without Justice’”

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Cardinal-of-Tehran:-%E2%80%9Cworst-fears%E2%80%9D-with-escalation,-no-peace-%E2%80%9Cwithout-justice%E2%80%9D-63351.html

  • Article dated June 25, 2025: “Beyond the ‘Fragile’ Ceasefire, Peace Requires ‘Common and Shared Responsibility’”

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Cardinal-of-Tehran:-beyond-the-%E2%80%98fragile%E2%80%99-ceasefire,-peace-requires-%E2%80%98common-and-shared-responsibility%E2%80%99-63371.html

A Voice of Peace in a Time of War
Amid the din of weapons, the silent testimony of those who remain, pray and hope has an incalculable value. The fraternal presence of the Cardinal and his constant call for peace remind us that, even in the darkness of war, the Gospel continues to be a light.
It is in this “only just battle”—the battle for reconciliation, dignity, and life—that we are all called to fight with the weapons of faith, hope, and charity.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9).

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