Pope Leo XIV expressed hope during Holy Week that U.S. President Donald Trump is searching for a way to bring the war in Iran to a close.
“I’m told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war. Hopefully he’s looking for an ‘off ramp’,” the Pope said Tuesday.
He added that reducing violence would be a vital step toward easing tensions in the Middle East.
“Hopefully he’s looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that’s being created and that’s increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere,” he noted.
The Pontiff urged world leaders to return to dialogue as a path to resolving conflicts and preventing further escalation.
“Come back to the table, to dialogue. Let’s look for solutions to problems, let’s look for ways to reduce the amount of violence that we’re promoting, that peace — especially at Easter — might reign in our hearts,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV also called on the faithful to pray for victims of war and for the renewal of peace.
“Let us pray for them, for the victims of war, let us pray that there may truly be a new, renewed peace, which can give new life to all,” he said.
“We make continuous appeals for peace, but unfortunately many people want to promote hatred and violence, war.”