Pope welcomes US-Iran deal and calls for dialogue over Ukraine

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV praised the agreement reached between Iran and the United States to end the Middle East conflict, describing it as the outcome of "encouraging work in dialogue and negotiation."
This week, the United States and Iran finalized a deal to cease hostilities, and Leo conveyed his "gratitude" to those involved in the negotiations.
During his weekly audience at the Vatican, Leo expressed hope that this agreement would enhance mutual trust, security, and stability in the Middle East by fostering dialogue and cooperation among peoples.

The 70-year-old pontiff also addressed the "painful" developments regarding the war in Ukraine, praying for "paths of dialogue... to facilitate a just and lasting peace." Russia's invasion of Ukraine has emerged as Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II and has persisted longer than World War I. "Countless innocent victims, rescuers killed, and churches along with cultural heritage sites reduced to ashes," Leo lamented.

"I stand in solidarity with those grieving their loved ones, the injured, and those who, amid the violence, continue to bravely uphold life," he stated.

In contrast, the official response from the U.S. government to Pope Leo XIV's remarks on the U.S.-Iran agreement remains fraught and deeply polarized, following months of unprecedented public disputes between President Donald Trump and the American-born pontiff.

While the Vatican has expressed gratitude with the phrase "thanks be to God" for the interim peace memorandum set to be signed on Friday, June 19, 2026, the domestic political reaction within the United States reveals a significant divide between the current administration, the diplomatic community, and American Catholic leadership.