Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

CatholicPhilly presents a weekly roundup of international news from Vatican News, the official news portal of the Holy See. The following report on the week of April 5, 2026 links to stories on VaticanNews.

The White House pushed back at the Vatican and defended praying for U.S. troops fighting in Iran after Pope Leo XIV warned that God rejects the prayers “of those who wage war,” Barron’s reported.

Only through a return to negotiation can the war come to an end,’ the Pope said at the end of his weekly general audience.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planned blockade after U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement, and the U.S. military said the blockade involving all Iranian ports would begin Monday at 10 a.