Pope Leo XIV condemned the escalating violence in the Middle East and Iran Sunday, warning that the "spiral of violence" risks becoming "an unbridgeable chasm." The big picture: The first American pontiff has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's policies since becoming pope last May, previously condemning the president's " zeal for war " following U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. What he's saying: "Stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue," Leo said during his weekly address at St. Peter's Square . Zoom out: Leo has also sharply denounced other Trump policies, including what he described as an effort to "break apart" the U.S.–Europe alliance after Trump rebuked NATO allies while seeking an end to the Russia–Ukraine war. In November, he also criticized the administration's immigration crackdown, calling for immigrants to be treated with "dignity." In recent days, the pope met with Cuba's foreign minister at the Vatican, even as the U.S. seeks to squeeze that regime and force change as well. Catch up quick: The U.S. and Israel launched " major combat operations " in Iran overnight Friday into Saturday, aiming to degrade the country's military capabilities and potentially foster regime change after nuclear negotiations failed . U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan were later targeted by Iranian missiles. Former Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi — the most prominent opposition leader, who said he is prepared to serve as a "transitional" leader if the regime falls — issued a statement from exile calling the U.S. and Israeli strikes a "humanitarian intervention." Go deeper: Pope Leo again condemns "zeal for war," deepening rift with Trump