Pope Leo XIV publicly praised the interim peace deal between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the regional war in the Middle East. Speaking on June 17, 2026, the 70-year-old pontiff said, "I hope that it truly is a solution to the war, that the war really is over, and that we can move forward" [1, 2, 3].
He expressed hope that the agreement would help strengthen "mutual trust, security, stability in the Middle East, and promote paths of dialogue and cooperation among the peoples" [2, 4]. The Pope thanked the countries that fostered negotiations leading to the deal, saying, "I express my gratitude to the countries that have strived to foster the encounter between the parties and make such an understanding possible" [4]. The US and Iran had reached a temporary truce via Pakistani mediation in April 2026 before announcing the interim peace deal between June 15 and 16 [4, 1, 2]. The agreement is scheduled to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, June 19, 2026 [1, 4].
Pope Leo also voiced deep concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling it "a painful conflict and one of the bloodiest in Europe since World War II" [2, 3, 5]. He condemned "the loss of innocent lives and destruction of churches and cultural heritage" caused by the conflict and prayed for "a path of dialogue to achieve a just and lasting peace" in Ukraine [2, 3, 6]. He said, "I stand with those who mourn their loved ones, who are wounded, and those who bravely continue to serve life amidst violence" [3].
The 70-year-old Pope's comments contrast with prior friction between him and former US President Donald Trump regarding the Iran conflict [1]. The peace deal represents a significant shift in US-Iran relations after years of tensions. With the formal signing set for June 19, global attention will focus on the implementation of the interim agreement and its potential to end years of violence in the Middle East.
