Pope Leo XIV Appeals to Trump, World Leaders To End Iran War

March 31—Speaking to reporters today in Rome, Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders: “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.”

Vatican News reported that the Pope spoke directly about President Donald Trump in his remarks. “I’m told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war. Hopefully he’s looking for an ‘off-ramp’. 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 said.

Easter “should be the holiest, most sacred time of the year. It is a time of peace, a time for much reflection, but as we all know, once again in the world, in so many places, we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths, even innocent children,” he lamented. “We make continuous appeals for peace, but unfortunately many people want to promote hatred and violence, war.”

Pope Leo called on all people, and “especially Christians,” to “live these days recognizing that Christ is still crucified today, that Christ still suffers today in the innocent, especially those who are suffering from violence, hatred, and war.”

“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 expressed his hope that a truce might be observed for Easter.