Pope Leo welcomes Middle East ceasefire and urges dialogue

Vatican, April 8, 2026: At the end of his General Audience on Wednesday, 8 April, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the recent weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East. Referring to the declaration of a two-week ceasefire on the evening of 7 April, the Pope said he received the development "with satisfaction and as a sign of deep hope".

Speaking to the faithful assembled in St Peter's Square, he stressed that "only through a return to the negotiating table can we bring the war to an end". He further encouraged those present to support this sensitive phase of diplomatic engagement through prayer, "in the hope that a willingness to engage in dialogue may become the means to resolve other situations of conflict throughout the world".

The Pope also reminded the faithful that a Prayer Vigil for Peace will take place on 11 April at St Peter's Basilica, inviting everyone to participate either in person or from home.

Iran, the United States, and Israel announced that they had agreed on a two-week ceasefire in the ongoing conflict affecting the region. On Tuesday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew his earlier threats to destroy Iranian “civilisation.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while Israel supports Trump’s decision to pause strikes against Iran for two weeks, the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where over 1,500 people have been killed.

Courtesy: Vatican News