Pope Leo welcomes Iran Ceasefire and urges negotiations after condemning Donald Trump’s threat against Iran, describing the remarks as unacceptable.
Pope Leo on Wednesday praised the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, hours after criticising a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump against the population of Iran.
The pope, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the conflict in recent weeks, said he welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire and urged continued negotiations to bring a full end to the regional war.
“In light of these past hours of great tension for the Middle East and for the whole world, I welcome with satisfaction the announcement of an immediate two-week truce,” Leo said during his weekly audience.
“Only through a return to negotiation can an end to the war be achieved,” he added.
Leo, known for measured remarks, has recently increased criticism of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, calling for restraint and diplomacy.
After Trump threatened Iran on Tuesday that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if the country did not meet U.S. demands for a truce, Leo told journalists that the statement was “truly unacceptable.”
It is rare for the pope, who leads about 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, to respond directly to a sitting world leader, underscoring the seriousness of the escalating tensions.
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