Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of a Maronite priest in southern Lebanon and called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East.

In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the pope said he was grieving for “all the victims of the bombings in these past days, including many innocent civilians and children, as well as those who were assisting them, such as Father Pierre Al-Rahi, the Maronite priest killed in Qlayaa.”

The 50-year-old priest was fatally wounded while attempting to aid parishioners whose home had been struck by an Israeli tank after Hezbollah militants had entered the village. Al-Rahi had rushed to the house in the mountainous area of his parish, accompanied by several young parishioners, when the tank fired again, injuring him. He was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

“The pope is following the events with concern and prays for a swift end to all hostilities,” the statement added.

According to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), armed militants had entered Qlayaa-Marjayoun and surrounding villages, including Rmeish, Debel, and Ain Ebel, putting previously secure communities at risk.