Pope Leo urges Trump to end war on Iran

Pope Leo XIV has called on President Trump to seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, urging him to find an "off-ramp" from the escalating tensions. The Vatican's appeal reflects the Catholic Church's traditional emphasis on peaceful conflict resolution and multilateral diplomacy in Middle East crises. A papal intervention at this scale signals the pontiff's concern that the current military trajectory could destabilize the region further or lead to broader confrontation. The statement places Trump under international pressure from a major religious institution just as his administration navigates complex relationships with Israel and Iran. The call also underscores the Church's effort to position itself as a neutral mediator in geopolitical disputes where civilian casualties and regional instability are mounting concerns.