Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV praised the interim US-Iran peace deal.
- The Pope expressed hope the deal will bring a definitive end to the regional war.
- He emphasized dialogue and negotiation as preferable to hostilities.
- The Pope described the ceasefire as a "sign of genuine hope".
Pope Leo XIV has welcomed an interim peace deal between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the regional conflict. He expressed gratitude, stating "thanks be to God" that the two nations are poised to formalize their agreement, and voiced hope that the accord will bring a definitive end to the war.
Speaking to journalists, the Pope emphasized that while several points may still require settlement, dialogue and negotiation are preferable to a return to hostilities. He described the ceasefire as "a sign of genuine hope" after a period of "extreme tension" and urged a continued commitment to negotiations.
The Pope also addressed the broader implications of the conflict, warning of potential global economic instability and increased hatred. He highlighted that war does not solve problems but rather amplifies them, leaving deep wounds that take generations to heal. He called upon the international community to fulfill its moral responsibility to halt the tragedy of war and urged for diplomacy to prevail over violence.