Ruptly
"Pope Leo XIV criticised what he described as shifting US positions on Iran talks during an in-flight address to the press on Thursday, urging both sides to pursue diplomacy as he warned against deepening the human cost of the conflict. "The issue of Iran is clearly very complex. The negotiations that are being attempted - one day the United States says no, then the opposite - we do not know where this is heading." The pontiff said. "This has created a chaotic and critical situation for the global economy, but also there is an entire population in Iran, innocent people who are suffering because of this war," he stressed. The Pope called for a 'new cultural attitude toward peace,' urging states to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy over escalation. "It is very important that international law be respected, that innocent people be protected," he said. "I cannot be in favour of war. I would like to encourage everyone to make efforts to seek solutions that come from a culture of peace, not from hatred and division." Turning to migration, Pope Leo XIV described it as a 'global phenomenon' driven largely by inequality between the Global North and South. While acknowledging that states have the right to control their borders, he said this does not absolve wealthier nations of responsibility for addressing root causes. "What is the Global North doing to help the Global South, or those countries where young people today do not see a future and therefore live with that dream?" The Pope asked. "What are we doing in the richer countries to change the situation in poorer ones?" He continued. "Why can we not seek solutions - through state aid as well as through investments from large, wealthy multinational companies - to improve conditions in countries like those we have visited on this trip?" He noted that Africa is often seen as a source of raw materials for wealthier nations, calling instead for 'greater justice and equality' in the development of African countries. "The other point I want to make is that, in any case, these are human beings, and we must treat human beings in a humane way. [...] When people arrive, they are human beings and deserve the respect that every human being deserves because of their human dignity," he added. The remarks came as the papal plane departed Malabo International Airport for Rome on Thursday, marking the end of Pope Leo XIV's 11-day apostolic journey across Africa."
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