Pope Leo XIV calls on US, Iran to resume dialogue amid rising tensions

Pope Leo XIV has urged the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table and pursue peaceful solutions to ongoing tensions between the two countries.

According to dpa, the pontiff made the remarks after returning from a visit to Africa, stressing the need for what he described as a new “culture of peace” that rejects the use of force in international relations.

He characterised the current geopolitical situation as “chaotic,” noting the lack of consistency in diplomatic signals. "One day Iran says yes, the United States says no and vice versa. We don't know where it will go," the pontiff added.

The Pope emphasised that solutions must be based on dialogue rather than hatred or division. He also condemned the executions of protesters in Iran, while not directly addressing recent criticism directed at the Vatican by Donald Trump.

Earlier, Trump had accused the pontiff of taking a soft stance on Iran, while Pope Leo XIV responded that he would not engage in confrontation with the White House but would also not allow himself to be intimidated.

The Pope also revealed that he carries a photograph of a Lebanese boy killed during Israeli strikes targeting sites linked to Hezbollah. The boy had cheered for him during his visit to Lebanon last year.