Pope Leo XIV: ‘Let’s hope President Trump will seek a way to reduce violence and bombing

Speaking to journalists tonight at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV made a renewed appeal for peace in the Middle East. It was the first time he mentioned Donald Trump in his comments on the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.

Here is what Pope Leo XIV said tonight:

“It is Holy Week. It is the feast of Passover. It should be the holiest time of the year. It is a time of peace, a time of reflection.

But as we all know, in many places in the world we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths, even innocent children. We continually call for peace, but unfortunately many people want to promote hatred, violence, and war.

And so, I would like to make a new appeal tonight, inviting all Christians to live these days with the awareness that Christ is still crucified today, Christ still suffers today—in the innocent, in those who are suffering, especially because of violence, hatred, and war.

We pray for them, for the victims of war. We pray that there may truly be a new and renewed peace, one that can give new life to everyone. Let’s hope the war will end before Easter.

I have been told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war. Hopefully he is looking for an off-ramp. Hopefully he is seeking a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing. This would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that is being created and that is constantly increasing in the Middle East and elsewhere.

So I would certainly continue to make this appeal to all leaders of the world: come back to the table of dialogue. Let us look for solutions to the problems. Let us seek ways to reduce the amount of violence that we are promoting, and let peace—especially at Easter—take root in our hearts.

This is what the Pope represents today in the world: a spiritual leader, a voice that everyone wants to hear, a voice that says that Christ is still suffering. I bring all this suffering into my prayer.

I would like to invite all people of good will, people of faith, all Christians, to walk together—to walk with Christ, who suffered for us to give us salvation and life—and to seek how we too can be bearers of peace and not of hatred.

I invite all the leaders of the world to seek peace, multilateral solutions, and justice for all peoples.”