Pope Leo hails Iran ceasefire as a sign of ‘real hope’
Pope Leo XIV has praised the newly announced two‑week ceasefire in the Iran war, calling it a sign of “real hope” after days of intense escalation. Speaking at his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square, the pontiff said he welcomed “with satisfaction” news of the immediate truce between the United States, Iran and their allies. “In light of these past hours of great tension for the Middle East and for the whole world, I welcome with satisfaction, and as a sign of real hope, the announcement of an immediate two‑week truce,” he said. Leo stressed that “only by returning to negotiations can an end to the war be achieved”, urging leaders to seize the window to pursue a lasting political settlement. The Pope’s comments came just hours after he sharply criticised President Donald Trump’s threat to wipe out Iran’s […]