Pope Leo XIV welcomed the newly announced 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.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to have his first face-to-face meeting with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Friday as the leader of the Roman Catholic church has criticised his fellow American,

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV expressed hope that the US-Israel war on Iran could be finished before Easter in remarks to reporters as he left the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome on Tuesday.