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.

Pope Leo XIV welcomed the ceasefire in the Middle East as “a sign of genuine hope" after what he described as “hours of extreme tension.”

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,

Pope Leo XIV called for prayer and a vigil after President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, urging diplomacy.

Friday marks six months since Gaza's ceasefire deal took effect, a milestone largely lost in the confusion over the new and even more fragile ceasefire in the Iran war. The ravaged Palestinian territory of 2 million people has seen the most intense fighting stop between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants.

Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli strikes killed 203 people on Wednesday while Israel says it will "act forcefully" if attacked by Iran.

In what appeared to be a new condition, Iran’s parliament speaker said that negotiations set for Saturday in Pakistan would not go ahead unless unspecified Iranian funds were released.

Iran is accusing Israel of violating the conditional ceasefire announced by President Trump by continuing its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran also accused the U.S. of violating multiple clauses of the deal framework.