Pope Leo in rare direct Trump comment as he makes Iran war plea | World | News
Pope Leo XIV made a rare statement about the war in Iran as he called on Donald Trump to find a “point of departure”. In his speech to journalists in front of his house in Castel Gandolfo, the leader of the Catholic world briefly discussed Operation Epic Rage, the name given to the military operation carried out by Washington and Tel Aviv in the Middle East.
He said: “I’ve been told that President Trump has recently indicated that he wants to end the war. I hope he’s looking for an outlet. I hope he’s looking for a way to reduce the amount of violence.”
On March 1, a few hours after the first attacks on Iran, the first US pope addressed the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, saying: “Stability and peace are achieved only by reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue, not by mutual threats or the use of weapons that sow destruction, suffering and death.
“I wholeheartedly appeal to the parties faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions to assume moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it turns into an irreparable abyss!”
This comes as President Trump signaled that military action in Iran could end soon “when the hard part is done.”
Hitting out at his allies, including the UK, he said in this morning’s Truth Social message: “To all the countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the UK that refuses to take part in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: No 1, buy from the US, we have plenty of it, and No 2, gather some delayed courage, go to the Strait and just BUY.
“You’re going to have to start learning how to fight for yourself. The United States won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you’re not on our side. Iran’s been decimated. The hard part is over. Go get your own oil.”
Mr. Trump has criticized NATO members in recent weeks for their perceived lack of support for the U.S. operation in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously said US targets had been achieved ahead of schedule and added that Washington expected to end its operations in Iran in the “next few weeks”.
The war in Iran has led to Tehran’s retaliatory attacks against Gulf states and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sparking fears of an energy crisis.
