VATICAN: Pope Francis has denounced the recent airstrikes on Lebanon as an "unacceptable" escalation of the Middle East conflict. Speaking at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican, the Pope urged the international community to work tirelessly to end the violence.

The pontiff expressed deep sorrow over the attacks, which Israel claims are targeting sites linked to Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran. Although Pope Francis did not explicitly name Israel, he lamented the "destruction and loss of life" caused by the bombardments in Lebanon.

The 87-year-old Pope, who has faced health challenges in recent years, appeared in good spirits during the audience, though he coughed lightly a few times while addressing the crowd. The Vatican had previously announced that Pope Francis canceled meetings earlier in the week due to mild flu symptoms as a precaution ahead of his upcoming trip to Luxembourg and Belgium.

During the audience, Pope Francis confirmed his plans to proceed with the visit and requested prayers for the success of his journey, which will be his 46th foreign trip as pontiff. This tour comes shortly after his demanding 12-day trip across Southeast Asia and Oceania, during which he attended over 40 events and traveled approximately 33,000 kilometers.

Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, often uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. Earlier this year, he had canceled several appointments due to various health concerns, including bronchitis and influenza.

The Pope’s comments on the strikes in Lebanon were made during unscripted remarks at the conclusion of the hour-long audience, where he also addressed the dangers of temptation, including the use of online pornography, which is condemned by Catholic teachings.

Pontifical Volunteer Organization Reports Christians Affected by Bombings in Lebanon

How Is the International Community Responding to the Rising Tensions in Lebanon?

Israel Airstrikes Kill Top Hezbollah Commander; 560 Dead as Hezbollah Retaliates