Pope Leo XIV welcomed the recent ceasefire in the Middle East as “a sign of genuine hope” after what he described as “hours of extreme tension,” while urging a return to negotiations and calling the faithful to prayer. He made these remarks on April 8 following his general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
The pope’s comments come at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States had escalated, nearly leading to further conflict. The two-week ceasefire was announced just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened significant military action if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers, stating that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if demands were not met. The agreement was reached about two hours before the White House deadline.
In his address, Pope Leo said, “Only by returning to negotiations can the war be brought to an end.” He also reiterated an earlier appeal for dialogue made at Castel Gandolfo on April 7, where he addressed journalists: “Today, as we all know, there has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran, and this is truly unacceptable,” he said. “There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more, it is a moral question concerning the good of the people as a whole.”
The pope expressed concern over broader consequences from ongoing conflict in the region. He warned that instability could trigger a global economic crisis and called on citizens worldwide to urge their leaders toward peace.
During his general audience address, Pope Leo invited believers to join him for a prayer vigil for peace scheduled for April 11. Reflecting on holiness during Easter season celebrations at St. Peter’s Basilica, he said: “Every baptized person is called to be holy; to live in God’s grace, to practice virtue and to become like Christ.” Continuing his series on Second Vatican Council documents such as Lumen Gentium, he emphasized charity as central: “the fullness of love towards God and towards one’s neighbor,” noting martyrdom as its highest expression.
He further discussed consecrated life within Church tradition—poverty reflecting trust in God; obedience modeled after Christ; chastity representing pure love—and described these virtues not as restrictive rules but liberating gifts from God: “These three virtues are not rules that shackle freedom, but liberating gifts of the Holy Spirit…”
Concluding his remarks with encouragement drawn from Christian faith amid suffering, Pope Leo stated: “By contemplating this event [Christ’s sacrifice], we know that there is no human experience that God does not redeem… Even suffering… becomes a path of holiness.”
