VATICAN CITY, March 11 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Wednesday lamented the death of numerous civilians in the ongoing Iran war and also expressed closeness to people in Lebanon, saying the country, targeted by Israeli strikes, was going through a "great trial."

Leo, the first U.S. pope, called on pilgrims in his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square to pray for peace.

"Let us continue to pray for peace in Iran, and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children," said the pontiff.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Giulia Segreti)