Iran: The Catholic Minority in Uncertain Times

Iran: The Catholic Minority in Uncertain Times
Following the launch of joint Israeli-American combat operations on February 28, 2026, and the announcement of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Pontiff highlighted the potentially explosive religious consequences for the entire country and its fragile Christian communities.
The ancient cities of Persia were not spared. Qom, the theological capital of Twelver Shiism, was hit by the raids. Isfahan, another major center of Shiite spirituality and home to the famous Armenian Vank Cathedral, also suffered strikes.
While Iranian authorities have not yet released a precise assessment of the damage inflicted on religious buildings, images of plumes of smoke rising near the golden domes are already flooding social media.
For the regime, which presents itself as the defender of Islam against “Zionist-Crusader aggression,” these symbolic attacks risk transforming a geopolitical …