Pope Leo Urges US And Iran To Return To Talks

ROME, April 24 (Bernama-dpa) - Pope Leo XIV has called on the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table, reported German news agency dpa.

On his return flight from a trip to Africa, the head of the Roman Catholic Church urged the creation of a new "culture of peace" to resolve conflicts without military force. 

Leo spoke of a situation that is "chaotic." 

"One day Iran says yes, the United States says no and vice versa. We don't know where it will go," the pontiff added.

"I would like to encourage everyone to find responses that come from a culture of peace and not hatred and division.”

At the same time, speaking to journalists travelling with him on the plane, he condemned the killing of protesters in Iran as well as the executions taking place there. His final stop on his trip to Africa had been Equatorial Guinea.

Leo does not mention Trump’s name 

The first pope from the US had been heavily criticised by Donald Trump last week. Trump accused him of not speaking out decisively enough against Iran’s actions against its own people. 

Leo now said: “I condemn all actions that are unjust. I condemn the killing of people.” He did not mention Trump’s name in his response.          A few days ago, Leo had already emphasised that he had no interest in a confrontation with the US president. 

However, he also made it clear that he did not want to be intimidated by the White House. 

Leo also reported that he carries with him a photo of a boy from Lebanon who was killed during Israeli attacks on the pro-Iranian Hezbollah. The boy had cheered for him during his visit to Lebanon last year.

--BERNAMA-dpa