Overview
- Pope Leo, speaking to reporters Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, said he was told President Trump wants to end the war and urged him to find an “off‑ramp” to cut the bombing.
- He appealed to all leaders to return to talks and said he hopes the violence stops before Easter on April 5.
- Following Palm Sunday remarks, he warned that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have “hands full of blood.”
- The conflict, launched by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, has spread across the region, killed thousands, and disrupted energy supplies.
- The Vatican said he will carry the cross at Rome’s Good Friday procession and earlier confirmed he will forgo a U.S. visit this year in favor of a July 4 visit to Lampedusa.