VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday praised a landmark agreement between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war, calling it the fruit of “encouraging work in dialogue and negotiation.”
Speaking during his weekly audience at the Vatican, the 70-year-old pontiff expressed gratitude to those who helped broker the deal and said he hoped it would strengthen trust, security, and stability in the region. “I hope that this agreement will contribute to promoting paths of dialogue and cooperation between peoples,” Leo said.
The deal, announced earlier this week, marks a rare breakthrough in relations between Washington and Tehran, whose decades-long tensions have shaped Middle East politics. Analysts say the agreement could ease regional instability and open doors for broader cooperation, though challenges remain in implementing its terms.
Leo also turned his attention to Europe, lamenting the “painful” news from Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion has become the continent’s deadliest conflict since World War II. He prayed for “paths of dialogue, to make a just and lasting peace possible,” noting the destruction of churches, cultural heritage sites, and the toll on civilians.
“So many innocent victims, rescuers killed, churches and cultural heritage sites devastated by flames,” he said. “I am close to those mourning their loved ones, to the injured, and to those who, amidst the violence, continue to serve life with courage.”
The Vatican has historically played a role in global diplomacy, often urging dialogue in conflicts where political solutions seem elusive. Leo’s remarks reflect the Holy See’s broader mission to encourage peace through moral authority rather than direct political power.
International observers say the pope’s support for the U.S.-Iran deal could add moral weight to efforts at reconciliation in the Middle East, while his continued appeals for Ukraine highlight the global urgency of ending wars that have displaced millions and destabilized economies.
